Abstract: Disclosed herein is a passive vapor intrusion measurement device including a barrier layer having first and second major sides; an absorbent stack disposed on a first portion of the surface of the barrier layer first major side, the absorbent stack including a first absorbent layer, an optional second absorbent layer; and spacer layer(s) disposed between the first and second (if present) absorbent layer and the barrier layer; and an adhesive disposed on a second portion of the surface of the barrier layer first major side and transversely surrounding the absorbent stack. The device is applied to a substrate in need of vapor intrusion sampling. A method of vapor intrusion analysis includes individually collecting the first and second (if present) absorbent layers after a test period; analyzing the amount of an analyte the absorbent layer(s); and subtracting the amount of the analyte in the second absorbent layer (if present) from the amount of the analyte in the first absorbent layer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an insert device for semi-dynamic leach testing, the insert device including a support and an absorptive polymer disposed on the support, the insert device characterized by a sheet-like form having a first and second major side. The device is useful in testing of both radial and unidirectional leaching of organic compounds into water from solid samples.

Abstract: A modular pod may include two or more walls, a roof, and a base, an air plenum, an air inlet, and an air economizer. The two or more walls, the roof, and the base may define a substantially enclosed interior space. The return air plenum may be positioned within the interior space. The air inlet may be positioned proximate one of the walls. The air economizer may be positioned within the interior space. The air economizer may include a mixing zone and two or more air shafts. The mixing zone may be in communication with the air inlet. The two or more air shafts may be in communication with the air plenum and in communication with the mixing zone. Each air shaft may taper down from the top end to the bottom end of the air shaft.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes solid waste forms and methods of processing waste. In one particular implementation, the invention provides a method of processing waste that may be particularly suitable for processing hazardous waste. In this method, a waste component is combined with an aluminum oxide and an acidic phosphate component in a slurry. A molar ratio of aluminum to phosphorus in the slurry is greater than one. Water in the slurry may be evaporated while mixing the slurry at a temperature of about 140-200° C. The mixed slurry may be allowed to cure into a solid waste form. This solid waste form includes an anhydrous aluminum phosphate with at least a residual portion of the waste component bound therein.

Abstract: Methods and systems for utilizing biological wastewater treatment processes to remove nutrients from wastewater containing reduced sulfide compounds may include treating the wastewater in an anaerobic zone, an anoxic zone, and an aerobic zone. The wastewater is first treated in the anaerobic zone to uptake residual biodegradable organic material using specialized bacteria known as phosphorus accumulating organisms (“PAOs”) and glycogen accumulating organisms (“GAOs”). After treatment in the anaerobic zone, the wastewater is treated in an anoxic zone to convert nitrates to nitrogen gas and sulfur to sulfates. Following treatment in the anoxic zone, the wastewater is treated in the aerobic zone to oxidize ammonia to nitrate and to complete removal of phosphorus. After treatment in the aerobic zone, the wastewater may be treated in other zones, or may be delivered to a liquid-solids treatment stage.

Abstract: A method of biodegrading municipal solid waste includes providing a quantity of municipal solid waste and promoting anaerobic digestion in the quantity of municipal solid waste by methanogenic organisms to produce methane. The methane production is monitored and when it is determined that production of methane from the quantity of municipal solid waste has subsided, aerobic digestion of the quantity of municipal solid waste is promoted. A gas collection system in operative association with the quantity of organic waste collects biogas and the biogas is monitored and the rate of gas collection is adjusted as necessary to maximize methane collection. A leachate collection system collects leachate from the quantity of municipal solid waste and circulates the leachate back to the quantity of organic waste during the anaerobic digestion and aerobic digestion steps.

Abstract: A system for communication in an oil and gas well, the system including a controller, a first universal wireless adapter (UWA) wirelessly coupled to the controller, where the UWA is coupled to a first field device, a second UWA wirelessly coupled to the controller, where the UWA is coupled to a second field device, where the controller passes a control token among the first and second UWAs based upon communication traffic between the first and second UWA and the first and second field devices respectively. In some embodiments, this control token may be passed between the first and second UWAs depending upon communications between the respective UWAs and their field devices. For example, in the event that communication traffic is greater between the first UWA and the first field device, then the control token is passed to the first UWA.

Abstract: A method for reducing the odors of an anaerobically digested dewatered biosolids or other biosolids or sludge may include separating first anaerobically digested dewatered biosolids into first and second portions, storing second anaerobically digested dewatered biosolids, removing a portion of the second biosolids, and mixing the removed second biosolids portion with the first portion of the first biosolids. The method may be implemented in a system including a separation device, first, second and third transporters, a storage area, and a mixer. The separation device may separate the first biosolids into first and second portions. The first transporter may transport the first portion to the mixer. The second transporter may transport the second portion to the storage area. The second portion may be stored in the storage area for a select time period. The third transporter may transport a portion of the stored first biosolids to the mixer for blending.

Abstract: A water or wastewater treatment system to reduce phosphorus or other pollutant concentrations in water or wastewater may include an optional primary treatment stage in fluid communication with a biological secondary treatment stage. The secondary treatment stage may, in turn, be fluidly connected with a tertiary treatment stage, which may include a chemical treatment portion for reducing phosphorus or other pollutants to desired levels. The precipitated phosphorus and other solids or sludge produced from the chemical treatment portion may be recycled upstream for reuse in the primary, secondary, and/or tertiary treatment stages. Such recycle may reduce the amount of added chemicals required in the tertiary treatment stage to phosphorus or other pollutants to desired amounts.

Abstract: A water or wastewater treatment system to reduce phosphorus or other pollutant concentrations in water or wastewater may include an optional primary treatment stage in fluid communication with a biological secondary treatment stage. The secondary treatment stage may, in turn, be fluidly connected with a tertiary treatment stage, which may include a chemical treatment portion for reducing phosphorus or other pollutants to desired levels. The precipitated phosphorus and other solids or sludge produced from the chemical treatment portion may be recycled upstream for reuse in the primary, secondary, and/or tertiary treatment stages. Such recycle may reduce the amount of added chemicals required in the tertiary treatment stage to phosphorus or other pollutants to desired amounts.

Abstract: A method of treating particulate biodegradable organic waste by thermal hydrolysis. The method includes subjecting a quantity of the particulate biodegradable waste to thermal hydrolysis at a temperature above about 130° C. and a pressure at or above the saturated water vapor pressure to produce a slurry. The slurry will include solubilized organic material and unhydrolyzed residual solids. The method further includes decreasing the pressure at which the slurry is maintained. Typically, the step of decreasing slurry pressure will occur in a flash tank, which allows the separation of an organic acid-rich steam from other hydrolysis products. The method further includes capturing the steam or other condensable gases released when pressure is decreased and condensing the steam or other condensable gases into a condensate. The captured condensate may then be added to a quantity of particulate biodegradable waste prior to thermal hydrolysis. Also disclosed is an apparatus for practicing the method described above.

Abstract: Methods and systems for utilizing biological wastewater treatment processes to remove nutrients from wastewater containing reduced sulfide compounds may include treating the wastewater in an anaerobic zone, an anoxic zone, and an aerobic zone. The wastewater is first treated in the anaerobic zone to uptake residual biodegradable organic material using specialized bacteria known as phosphorus accumulating organisms (“PAOs”) and glycogen accumulating organisms (“GAOs”). After treatment in the anaerobic zone, the wastewater is treated in an anoxic zone to convert nitrates to nitrogen gas and sulfur to sulfates. Following treatment in the anoxic zone, the wastewater is treated in the aerobic zone to oxidize ammonia to nitrate and to complete removal of phosphorus. After treatment in the aerobic zone, the wastewater may be treated in other zones, or may be delivered to a liquid-solids treatment stage.

Abstract: A water or wastewater treatment system to reduce phosphorus or other pollutant concentrations in water or wastewater may include an optional primary treatment stage in fluid communication with a biological secondary treatment stage. The secondary treatment stage may, in turn, be fluidly connected with a tertiary treatment stage, which may include a chemical treatment portion for reducing phosphorus or other pollutants to desired levels. The precipitated phosphorus and other solids or sludge produced from the chemical treatment portion may be recycled upstream for reuse in the primary, secondary, and/or tertiary treatment stages. Such recycle may reduce the amount of added chemicals required in the tertiary treatment stage to phosphorus or other pollutants to desired amounts.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for optimizing oil and gas wells. Some embodiments may include optimizing a gas well based upon continuous measurements of the well's operating parameters, such as casing pressure draw down and/or line pressure surges. These continuous measurements of the well's parameters may be utilized to derive an empirical model of the well's behavior that is more accurate than conventional approaches with respect to the various stages of well production. In other words, by measuring the well's operating parameters continuously and measuring certain well parameters (like casing pressure draw down and/or surges in line pressure from opening the well), the empirical model derived therefrom may provide more accurate control of turn on criteria of the well than conventional approaches, such as during the mature production stage of production of the well.

Abstract: Water intake structures for power plants and other industrial facilities may include an inflow channel, a deep well, an outflow channel, and an intake channel These structures may include a fish screen, such as a wedge-wire screen or the like, positioned between the deep well and the intake channel to separate fish, fish larvae and fish eggs from water supplied to the intake channel from the deep well. These structures may further include one or more circulating or sweep flow pumps positioned proximate an outlet of the outflow channel. The sweep flow pumps may be used to maintain a sweep flow through the deep well of the intake structure to help sweep fish, fish larvae and fish eggs away from the fish screen and into the outflow channel.

Abstract: A portable water treatment apparatus may include a container, a UV light source, and a user-powered generator. The container may include first and second portions removably joined or factory sealed together and defining a chamber to receive water. The UV light source, such as a UV light bulb, may be contained within the chamber. A user-powered generator, such as a hand or pedal crank generator, may be operatively associated with the UV light. Operation of the user-powered generator may provide electrical power to the UV light source for disinfecting water received within the chamber. The UV light source may also be powered using an electrical outlet, a battery, or solar power. The portable water treatment apparatus may further include a mixing device for moving water within the container, and an electrical disconnect for selectively connecting and disconnecting the electrical power connection between the user-powered generator and the UV light source.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing a waste in a chemically bonded phosphate ceramic (CBPC). The method consists of preparing a slurry including the waste, water, an oxide binder, and a phosphate binder. The slurry is then allowed to cure to a solid, hydrated CBPC matrix. Next, bound water within the solid, hydrated CBPC matrix is removed. Typically, the bound water is removed by applying heat to the cured CBPC matrix. Preferably, the quantity of heat applied to the cured CBPC matrix is sufficient to drive off water bound within the hydrated CBPC matrix, but not to volatalize other non-water components of the matrix, such as metals and radioactive components. Typically, a temperature range of between 100° C.-200° C. will be sufficient. In another embodiment of the invention wherein the waste and water have been mixed prior to the preparation of the slurry, a select amount of water may be evaporated from the waste and water mixture prior to preparation of the slurry.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for measuring and controlling liquid levels in a well. The apparatus may include a plurality of sensors, the plurality of sensors comprising: a first sensor coupled to the well, the first sensor configured to measure a casing pressure, a second sensor coupled to the well, the second sensor configured to measure a tubing pressure, and a third sensor coupled to a motor that is further coupled to the well, the third sensor configured to measure at least one characteristic of the motor, and a processor coupled to the plurality of sensors, wherein the processor calculates a level of liquid in the well based upon measurements of at least two of the plurality of sensors.

Abstract: A method and system to pulse at least one solenoid valve to regulate the volume of instrument air or other gas (e.g. nitrogen or natural gas) to the supply side or from the discharge side of a diaphragm actuator. The diaphragm actuator operates a primary variable flow/choke control valve in response to process control signals.

Abstract: In methods for treatment of in ground chromium ore processing residue contamination, ferrous sulfide is provided as a substantially insoluble material in the residue deposit. The ferrous sulfide accordingly may remain substantially in place, in the pores of the soil or residue, even over long periods of time, regardless of underground water movement or diffusion. As a result, the ferrous sulfide may act continuously to chemically reduce and remove contamination. As hexavalent chromium diffuses from the soil or residue, it is reduced by the ferrous sulfide. The ferrous sulfide may be placed into the underground deposit by injecting a ferrous salt solution into the deposit, waiting for a precipitation to elapse, and then injecting a sulfide solution into the deposit.