Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of consolidating a calcine comprising radioactive material, the method comprising mixing 60-80% (by weight) of a radionuclide containing calcine with at least one non-radioactive additive, such as an oxide, and hot isostatic pressing the mixture to form a stable monolith of glass/ceramic. In one embodiment, the ratio of radionuclide containing calcine to additives is about 80:20 by weight, wherein the non-radioactive additive comprises oxides such as BaO, CaO, Al2O3, TiO2, SiO2 and others, that combine with the waste elements and compounds to form a ceramic mineral or glass/ceramic material, after hot isostatic pressing. Non-limiting examples of mineral phases that may be formed are: hollandite (BaAl2Ti6O16), zirconolite (CaZrThO7), and perovskite (CaTiO3).

Abstract: Industrial process for the treatment of RSW (residential solid waste) after being milled is processed with sanitizing solutions, and binders and hardeners, which chemically immobilize and avoid the production of percolating liquids, leaching of heavy metals and generation of greenhouse gases. The resulting material is a grey, warm and malleable paste that is moldable, allowing diverse uses. The material can be directly buried in the ground without special protections; can be used as construction material for urban furniture or architectural structures; or can be anchored in the ocean, building habitats of ocean ecosystems, if it is properly packaged in waterproof material.

Abstract: A melt of a material is cooled and a sheet of the material is formed in the melt. This sheet is transported, cut into at least one segment, and cooled in a cooling chamber. The material may be Si, Si and Ge, Ga, or GaN. The cooling is configured to prevent stress or strain to the segment. In one instance, the cooling chamber has gas cooling.

Abstract: Mercury is removed from contaminated waste by firstly applying a sulfur reagent to the waste. Mercury in the waste is then permitted to migrate to the reagent and is stabilized in a mercury sulfide compound. The stable compound may then be removed from the waste which itself remains in situ following mercury removal therefrom.

Abstract: Methods are provided for remediating contaminated soil. The methods may include collecting contaminated soil at a plurality of treatment sites. The contaminated soil at one or more of the plurality of treatment sites may be at least partially contained. Vapors produced from heating soil at one site may be used to heat contaminated soil at another site. A fluid directed to a portion of heated contaminated soil may accelerate heat transfer through the site of contaminated soil or through another site of contaminated soil. A method may include heating contaminated soil from more than one site at substantially the same time. Heating contaminated soil from more than one site at substantially the same time may include in situ and ex situ treatment at a common location.

Abstract: A method for in-situ dense non-aqueous phase liquids treatment in which a subsurface source area comprising at least one rapid release contaminant is located and free water removed therefrom. The subsurface source area is then heated to a temperature suitable for extracting the at least one rapid release contaminant from the subsurface source area. The at least one rapid release contaminant is extracted from the subsurface source area, resulting in solidification of the dense non-aqueous phase liquids remaining in the subsurface source area.

Abstract: Reactive barriers containing magnetite and methods for making magnetite reactive barriers in situ in soil for sequestering soil contaminants including actinides and heavy metals, organic materials, iodine and technetium are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a two-step reagent introduction into soil takes place. In the first step, free oxygen is removed from the soil by separately injecting into the soil aqueous solutions of iron (II) salt, for example FeCl2, and base, for example NaOH or NH3 in about a 1:1 volume ratio. Then, in the second step, similar reagents are injected a second time (however, according to about a 1:2 volume ratio, iron to salt) to form magnetite. The magnetite formation is facilitated, in part, due to slow intrusion of oxygen into the soil from the surface. The invention techniques are suited to injection of reagents into soil in proximity to a contamination plume or source allowing in situ formation of the reactive barrier at the location of waste or hazardous material.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding hazardous waste made up of solids and liquids in a flowable form includes a tank made of material selected to be impervious to and non-corrodible by the hazardous waste and having a non-critical portion, an agitator in the tank having fluid agitation portions oriented for rotational movement about a horizontal axis, a non-sparking motor located within the tank connected to the agitator for imparting rotation to the fluid agitation portions, and a power source for the motor outside the tank having means passing through the non-critical portion of the tank for communicating power from the power source to the motor. Thus, the power source may communicate power to the non-spark generating motor to impart rotation to the agitator to cause the fluid agitation portions to agitate hazardous waste made up of solids and liquids held in the tank to maintain the hazardous waste in flowable form.

Abstract: A method for recovering metals from metals-containing wastes, and vitrifying the remainder of the wastes for disposal. Metals-containing wastes such as circuit boards, cathode ray tubes, vacuum tubes, transistors and so forth, are broken up and placed in a suitable container. The container is heated by microwaves to a first temperature in the range of approximately 300-800.degree. C. to combust organic materials in the waste, then heated further to a second temperature in the range of approximately 1,000-1,550.degree. C. at which temperature glass formers present in the waste will cause it to melt and vitrify. Low-melting-point metals such as tin and aluminum can be recovered after organics combustion is substantially complete. Metals with higher melting points, such as gold, silver and copper, can be recovered from the solidified product or separated from the waste at their respective melting points. Network former-containing materials can be added at the start of the process to assist vitrification.

Abstract: A method of melting solid materials while controlling melt shape, without the expenditure of energy to melt unwanted quantities of surrounding materials, and an apparatus to effect the method. The method comprises the use of a planar starter path between electrodes so as to initiate melting and/or vitrification in a plane rather than in a discrete linear path between electrodes. Because melting is initiated along a significant portion of the linear dimension of the electrodes, creating a melted zone that is deeper than it is thick, the aspect ratio (depth "Y"/width "Z") of the melted mass is greater than 1.0.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of making a pollutant harmless by treating a material to be treated containing the pollutant. The method comprises the steps of: heating the material in a pressure resistant vessel hermetically to obtain a heated material; supplying the heated material from the vessel to a nozzle; and jetting out the material from the nozzle to collide against a collecting member arranged opposite to the nozzle.

Abstract: A process for recovering fissile materials such as uranium, and plutonium, and rare earth elements, from complex waste feed material, and converting the remaining wastes into a waste glass suitable for storage or disposal. The waste feed is mixed with a dissolution glass formed of lead oxide and boron oxide resulting in oxidation, dehalogenation, and dissolution of metal oxides. Carbon is added to remove lead oxide, and a boron oxide fusion melt is produced. The fusion melt is essentially devoid of organic materials and halogens, and is easily and rapidly dissolved in nitric acid. After dissolution, uranium, plutonium and rare earth elements are separated from the acid and recovered by processes such as PUREX or ion exchange. The remaining acid waste stream is vitrified to produce a waste glass suitable for storage or disposal. Potential waste feed materials include plutonium scrap and residue, miscellaneous spent nuclear fuel, and uranium fissile wastes.

Abstract: The invention disclosed here is a starter tube for initiating a vitrification process for melting contaminated soils, waste products, and hazardous materials. The starter tube comprises a tubular sheath made of a flexible material. Received within the sheath is an electrically conductive starter material. The sheath is gas-permeable so that gases created by the starter material during commencement of vitrification will escape from the tube.

Abstract: A method for pneumatically fracturing a soil formation, and thereafter utilizing or maintaining the fracture network thus formed by continuous injection of a gas stream into the fracture network, and introducing into that gas stream dry media which is entrained in the gas stream and thereby dispersed and distributed through the soil formation in substantially predictable or predetermined patterns, is described. The fracture network and/or the dry media contained therein create or enhance usefulness for a given purpose with respect to the soil formation. The method utilizes novel apparatus, especially high velocity nozzles which are substantially planar or directional and can be used in combination with the borehole casing to achieve a variety of fracturing and dry media injection effects.

Abstract: A method for encapsulating and immobilizing waste for disposal. Waste, preferably, biologically, chemically and radioactively hazardous, and especially electronic wastes, such as circuit boards, are placed in a crucible and heated by microwaves to a temperature in the range of approximately 300.degree. C. to 800.degree. C. to incinerate organic materials, then heated further to a temperature in the range of approximately 1100.degree. C. to 1400.degree. C. at which temperature glass formers present in the waste will cause it to vitrify. Glass formers, such as borosilicate glass, quartz or fiberglass can be added at the start of the process to increase the silicate concentration sufficiently for vitrification.

Abstract: A method for removing a contaminant from a treatment region of a contaminated region of a site in the earth having water therein and being contaminated with the contaminant includes heating the earth by establishing an electric field through the treatment region. The electric field gives rise to an electric conduction or displacement current through the treatment region. The electric current electrically heats at least a portion of the treatment region to a temperature below the boiling point of water to evaporate the water. A vacuum is drawn in a nether region of the site to collect water vapor evolved from the water and contaminant vapor evolved from the contaminant by movement of air from the surface of the earth, while the water vapor strips the contaminant from the earth. The contaminant vapor is disposed of in an innocuous manner.

Abstract: This invention provides a process wherein hazardous or radioactive wastes in the form of liquids, slurries, or finely divided solids are mixed with finely divided glassformers (silica, alumina, soda, etc.) and injected directly into the plume of a non-transferred arc plasma torch. The extremely high temperatures and heat transfer rates makes it possible to convert the waste-glassformer mixture into a fully vitrified molten glass product in a matter of milliseconds. The molten product may then be collected in a crucible for casting into final wasteform geometry, quenching in water, or further holding time to improve homogeneity and eliminate bubbles.

Abstract: A thermal method of in-situ soil treatment using a charge of combustible substrate placed within the area to be treated and combusted with the use of oxidizer resulting in solid products and generating no gases. The substrate can be a metal, such as aluminum or iron, and oxygen can be an oxidizer. Alternatively, thermite mixtures can be used. The treatment of soil constituents and pollutants can be achieved by vaporizing, pyrolyzing, incinerating, oxidizing, reducing, or vitrifying the constituents of pollutants and the soil in the zone of influence of the charge of the combustible substrate.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of treating solid earthen material having volatile, semi-volatile, and non-volatile contaminants that utilizes electrical energy. A plurality of electrodes are inserted into a region of earthen material to be treated in a selected geometric pattern. Varying phase and voltages configurations are applied to corresponding electrodes to achieve heating, physical phase changes, and the placement of substances within the treatment region. Additionally, treatment mediums can be added to either treat the contamination within the soil or to restrict their mobility.

Abstract: Heavy metals contaminants in soils are fixed and rendered non-leachable by the process of heating the metal contaminated soil containing a hydrocarbon liquid, at an elevated temperature sufficient to convert at least a part of the liquid hydrocarbon into solid carbon or coke deposited on the surface of the soil and subjecting the thus heated soil to sufficient microwave radiation to sustain at least a partial fusion or melting process that results in a fixing of the heavy metals in the soil.

Abstract: An in situ waste treatment system for contaminated soil employs a high temperature energy probe which is lowered into a borehole casing that has been inserted into the contaminated soil. The energy probe is activated and then melts surrounding region of the contaminated soil. The probe is raised and continues to melt a cylindrical column of soil that surrounds the borehole casing. Oxygen is introduced into the molten material so that organic and metallic components thereof are oxidized. In basaltic soils superheating and nucleation materials are introduced to enhance formation of a crystalline structure in the contaminated soil as it solidifies. Increased crystallinity makes the resultant solidified basaltic materials more resistant to leaching by ground water. Other types of contaminated soils are treated with waste modifiers to produce optimum leach resistance of the resultant resolidified soil.

Abstract: A technique for in situ decontamination of an earth formation. High gas temperatures can be achieved at subsurface formations by supplying a fuel at a subsurface location, such as at the bottom of a wellbore. Pressurized air or gas preheated to a temperature of about 700.degree. F.-1200.degree. F. is supplied to the wellbore to ignite the fuel. The combustion heat produced by the fuel further heats the preheated gas to temperatures in the range of 1200.degree. F.-4500.degree., which heated gases are forced out of the borehole into the contaminated formation. Contaminants are thereby volatilized or oxidized and removed from the formation to the surface.

Abstract: Pollution remedial compositions are disclosed which comprise a soluble silicate, a surfactant, a polyol, and water.

Abstract: A process for producing micropellets of lightweight aggregate having a substantially spheroidal configuration which includes continuously mixing ceramic clay and liquid in a high speed rotating pin mixer to encapsulate substantially all other non-volatile inorganic solid materials present in micropellets having a diameter not exceeding about six mesh. The spheroidal micropellets are then fired at a temperature of at least 2,000.degree. F. to oxidize all volatile organic compounds present. The light-weight aggregate of micropellets can advantageously-be used to replace sand in a cement or concrete matrix, as a well as for numerous other uses.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of treating solid earthen material having volatile, semi-volatile and non-volatile contaminants. Six electrodes are inserted into a region of earthen material to be treated in a substantially equilateral hexagonal arrangement. Six phases of voltages are applied to corresponding electrodes. The voltages are adjusted within a first range of voltages to create multiple current paths between pairs of the electrodes. The current paths are evenly distributed throughout the region defined by the electrodes and therefore uniformly heat the region. The region of earthen material is heated to a temperature sufficient to substantially remove volatile and semi-volatile contaminants. This temperature is less than a melting temperature of the earthen material. The voltages are then increased to a second range of voltages effective to create dry regions around the electrodes.

Abstract: A method is disclosed in which a plasma arc torch is used to vitrify and remediate a site containing contaminated soils, resulting from a hazardous material deposit or spill, or contaminated buried objects. The contaminated earthen material or subterranean deposit is pyrolyzed, melted or solidified by the plasma torch which is energized at the bottom of a cased, vertical borehole, and then gradually raised to the surface. An array of boreholes, appropriately spaced, will remediate an entire mass of contaminated material. Similarly, buried objects such as metal drums containing contaminants and underground storage tanks may be selectively remediated at their specific buried depth. Similar use is made of the plasma torch in a second embodiment with the additional step of processing at selected underground locations in the borehole array to create a sealed horizontal layer, vertical cutoff walls or a sealed basin as a barrier against further leaching of contaminants into surrounding soil and groundwater.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of reclaiming hazardous inorganic wastes to produce an environmentally benign abrasive for use in loose grain processes, as a coated or bonded abrasive, or as a polishing grain. A tough and useful abrasive, with a MOH hardness of 7 to 8, is manufactured from emission control dusts of the aluminum industry or sludges from other industries, and may include small amounts of lead and cadmium oxides as toughening agents. The abrasive particles are sized by air sifting or by water sedimentation separating methods.

Abstract: A method is disclosed in which a plasma arc torch is used to vitrify and remediate a site containing contaminated soils, resulting from a hazardous material deposit or spill, or contaminated buried objects. The contaminated earthen material or subterranean deposit is pyrolyzed, melted or solidified by the plasma torch which is energized at the bottom of a cased, vertical borehole, and then gradually raised to the surface. An array of boreholes, appropriately spaced, will remediate an entire mass of contaminated material. Similarly, burled objects such as metal drums containing contaminants and underground storage tanks may be selectively remediated at their specific buried depth. Similar use is made of the plasma torch in a second embodiment with the additional step of processing at selected underground locations in the borehole array to create a sealed horizontal layer, vertical cutoff walls or a sealed basin as a barrier against further leaching of contaminants into surrounding soil and groundwater.

Abstract: The process or the present invention serves to remediate and reduce the volume of waste materials in a landfill site and increases the useful life of the treated landfill. The process steps involve drilling a series of holes into the waste material mass at proper spacing, inserting and operating a plasma arc torch in each drilled hole to pyrolize, remediate and vitrify the waste materials and allowing the melted materials to cool and harden. During the process, a gaseous by-product is produced and collected in a hood which is attached to scrubbing and chemical cleaning apparatus. The resultant gases are commercially useful as fuel gas and the vitrified residue is significantly smaller in volume than the original waste material volume, thus substantially extending the useful life of the landfill site and ultimately providing a firm foundation for construction.