Abstract: A method for encapsulating waste material and a waste encapsulation system are disclosed. The system includes a transportable, rigid container with a rigid liner that is then sealed to, encapsulate the waste material within the sealed liner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for separating chemical contaminants such as volatile and semi-volatile chemicals and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), even if the contaminants are present at low concentrations, from mixed wastes, such as soils or sludges contaminated with hazardous and radioactive components. The process comprises subjecting the mixed waste to vacuum at a temperature effective to volatilize the contaminants but below incineration temperature, while continuously removing the evolved vapors, for a period of time sufficient to effect the desired degree of separation of the volatile and semi-volatile contaminants. The evolved vapors may be collected and condensed for off-site disposal and the remaining solids may be properly disposed of or further treated.

Abstract: A method for reducing reducible metals comprising combining one or more reducible metals with an elemental metal, and then with a reducing agent to form a reduced metal. The mixture may then be stabilized and recovered.

Abstract: An improved method for detoxifying waste materials contaminated with halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons is disclosed. The method provides for detoxification of halogenated aromatic compounds by electrophilic aromatic substitution. The method also provides for the dehalogenation of the lower congeners of such halogenated aromatic compounds, as a result of chemical activation via electrophilic aromatic substitution, followed by nucleophilic aromatic dehalogenation. In addition, the method provides for the more complete dehalogenation of mixtures of halogenated aromatic compounds that contain both higher and lower congeners by increasing the efficiency of dehalogenation of the lower congeners.

Abstract: A method for economically separating chemical contaminants such as volatile and semivolatile organic chemicals and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), even if the contaminants are present at low concentrations, from inert materials such as soils or sludges is disclosed. The process comprises subjecting inert materials contaminated with chemical compounds to vacuum at a temperature effective to volatilize the contaminants but below incineration temperature, while continuously removing the evolved vapors, for a period of time sufficient to effect the desired degree of separation of contaminants. The evolved vapors may be collected and condensed for off-site disposal.

Abstract: A process is presented for the treatment of wastewater containing non-volatile pollutants and volatile chemically oxidizable organic and inorganic pollutants. The process combines efficient evaporation to concentrate the non-volatile compounds and a catalytic oxidation reaction to convert the volatilized organic and inorganic pollutants. A condensate product may be obtained by treating wastewater according to the inventive process that is of distilled water quality and substantially free of minerals and organics.

Abstract: Metal complexes and especially nickel EDTA is decomposed by adding an oxidizing agent to an aqueous solution containing metal complexes to define an oxidizable aqueous solution. The oxidizable aqueous solution is then exposed to a source of ultraviolet radiation in the range of from 185-300 nanometers for a period of time sufficient to destroy the complex portion of the metal complex. The remaining metal is recovered.

Abstract: An improved method for detoxifying waste materials contaminated with halogenated hydrocarbons is disclosed. The method achieves dehalogenation of such halogenated hydrocarbons in a manner as efficient as previous methods, but at a considerably lower cost. The economic advantages of the present invention arise from the use of lower temperatures and/or smaller quantities of reagents, which in turn are made possible by the discovery of a surprisingly superior reagent, 2-methoxyethanol.

Abstract: A process is presented for treating and detoxifying mixed wastes, especially those containing volatile chemically oxidizable organics, nonvolatile inorganics and radioactive pollutants. The process combines an efficient extraction system, a filtration step, and evaporation system to concentrate the pollutants originally present in the mixed waste and a catalytic oxidation reaction to convert the volatilized organic and inorganic pollutants. A condensate product is obtained that is recycled internally to provide a closed system that discharges only inert gases and treated solid products.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for removing waste material from a container and for separating the waste material into a pumpable slurry fraction and a solids fraction, the apparatus comprising a mechanical means for removing waste material from the container, and a waste pulper for receiving the waste material and for grinding and separating the waste material into at least a pumpable slurry fraction and a solids fraction.

Abstract: An improved method for detoxifying waste materials contaminated with halogenated hydrocarbons is disclosed. The method achieves dehalogenation of such halogenated hydrocarbons in a manner as efficient as previous methods, but at a considerably lower cost. The economic advantages of the present invention arise from the use of lower temperatures and/or smaller quantities of reagents, which in turn is made possible by the discovery of a surprisingly superior reagent, 2-methoxyethanol, and superior catalysts, the crown ethers, which allow reagents other than 2-methoxyethanol to function very efficiently in dehalogenation reactions.

Abstract: An improved powdered adsorbent enhanced sludge process for the treatment of wastewater is disclosed that allows for in situ recovery of unregenerated powdered adsorbent. In situ recovery is performed by contacting a mixture of activated sludge and spent powdered adsorbent at disassociation conditions whereby cell lysis occurs. The cell lysis allows for physical separation of the spent powdered adsorbent from the activated sludge, thus allowing for recycle of adsorbent without the need for a regeneration process.

Abstract: An improved method for detoxifying waste materials contaminated with halogenated hydrocarbons is disclosed. The method achieves dehalogenation of such halogenated hydrocarbons in a manner as efficient as previous methods, but at a considerably lower cost. The economic advantages of the present invention arise from the use of lower temperatures and/or smaller quantities of reagents, which in turn are made possible by the discovery of a surprisingly superior reagent, 2-methoxyethanol.

Abstract: A process for removing metal salts from an H.sub.4 EDTA precipitate by esterification with an esterification reagent to produce an esterification mixture comprising a solid metal salt an EDTA ester and thereafter separating the solid metal salt from the esterification mixture.

Abstract: A method for economically separating chemical contaminants such as volatile organic chemicals (VOC's) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's), even if the contaminants are present at low concentrations, from inert materials such as soils or sludges, comprising subjecting inert materials contaminated with chemical compounds to a temperature effective to volatilize the contaminants but below incineration temperature, with continuous removal of evolved vapors, for a period of time sufficient to effect the desire degree of separation of contaminants. The evolved vapors may be subjected to catalytic oxidation to destroy the volatilized chemical compounds.

Abstract: A method for economically separating organic contaminants such as volatile organic chemicals (VOC's) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's), even if the contaminants are present at low concentrations, from inert materials such as soils or sludges, comprising subjecting inert materials contaminated with organic compounds to a temperature effective to volatilize the organic contaminants but below incineration temperature, with continuous removal and condensation of evolved vapors, for a period of time sufficient to effect the desired degree of separation of contaminants.

Abstract: A method for stabilizing a mercury-containing waste comprising adding elemental sulfur and cement kiln dust to the waste in amounts effective to reduce the amount of leachable mercury to an environmentally acceptable level.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating waste material contained in drums comprises a conveyor for moving said drums to a purging chamber having an inlet door and outlet door, a conveyer in said purging chamber for moving said drums through said outlet door, a conveyer outside said purging chamber for moving said drums to a shear station where the bottom lids of the drums are sheared off, a compactor chamber for receiving and compacting said drums and extruding said waste materials therein, and a sorter for sorting the waste materials into liquid and solid components and conveying said sorted liquids and solids to respective storage facilities.

Abstract: A waste material compression tester is provided and having a reservoir or chamber for holding a sample of waste material containing liquid, a pressure source to apply pressure to the waste material under a pre-set pressure and a predetermined time period and a detector to indicate whether liquid was exuded from the waste material after the pressure is removed.