Abstract: A reconfigurable waste treatment system having one or more waste treatment units such as scrubbers, absorption units, and thermal destruction units, is provided for treating waste supplied to the treatment system from one or more waste sources. The treatment units are selectively connected between an output and an input of a distribution manifold. Each input may be selectively connected to a desired output to achieve a desired configuration of treatment units. A venturi vacuum pump and an inert gas supply are used to assist the evacuation of waste from the waste source. The inert gas can also be used to charge the system as a whole or selected treatment devices, when not in use, to prevent the accumulation of moisture therein. A flow/pressure regulator prevents the system from being overloaded. Holding vessels are provided for collecting waste to allow staged treatment and/or sampling. The system is enclosed in a containment chamber to prevent insufficiently treated waste from escaping into the environment.

Abstract: A container access system and method for accessing the contents of a container within a sealed containment vessel. A preferred embodiment of the access system includes a sealable vessel for housing a container to be accessed, a remotely operated container valve actuator within the vessel, and a tapping assembly positioned within the containment vessel for accessing the contents of a target container. One or more fluid seals may be made with access mechanisms and the target container. An access mechanism capable of inserting a dip tube into the container to facilitate liquid removal.

Abstract: A reconfigurable waste treatment system having one or more waste treatment units such as scrubbers, absorption units, and thermal destruction units, is provided for treating waste supplied to the treatment system from one or more waste sources. The treatment units are selectively connected between an output and an input of a distribution manifold. Each input may be selectively connected to a desired output to achieve a desired configuration of treatment units. A venturi vacuum pump and an inert gas supply are used to assist the evacuation of waste from the waste source. The inert gas can also be used to charge the system as a whole or selected treatment devices, when not in use, to prevent the accumulation of moisture therein. A flow/pressure regulator prevents the system from being overloaded. Holding vessels are provided for collecting waste to allow staged treatment and/or sampling. The system is enclosed in a containment chamber to prevent insufficiently treated waste from escaping into the environment.

Abstract: A drill assembly for penetrating a wall of a container is provided. The container is supported by a platform within a recovery vessel. The drilling assembly allows removal of a fluid from the container. The drilling assembly includes a tube for lining a first opening into the recovery vessel, as well as a first housing having an interior. A first adapter couples the housing to a first end of the tube to partially define a longitudinal bore. A shaft is rotatably disposed within the longitudinal bore. The shaft has one end for engagement with a drill bit with the other end for engagement with a motor. The drill bit is engaged to the shaft to penetrate the container wall, while the motor is engaged to the other end of the shaft. A first seal assembly forms a first fluid barrier between the interior and the longitudinal bore. Multiple seals may be formed between the first housing and the container. The container and the adapter may be integrally connected.

Abstract: A container access system and method for accessing the contents of a container within a sealed containment vessel. A preferred embodiment of the access system includes a sealable vessel for housing a container to be accessed, a remotely operated container valve actuator within the vessel, and a tapping assembly positioned within the containment vessel for accessing the contents of a target container. One or more fluid seals may be made with access mechanisms and the target container. An access mechanism capable of inserting a dip tube into the container to facilitate liquid removal.

Abstract: A venturi eduction and scrubbing system comprising a first container and a second container in fluid communication, each having a liquid treatment reagent therein. The liquid treatment reagent establishes liquid levels in the first and second containers. A waste inlet which contains waste gas or liquid to be processed is connected to at least one venturi eductor. The venturi eductors are also connected to the first container and are disposed above the liquid level of the first and second container. A pump is connected to the second container and each venturi eductor. The pump enables liquid treatment reagent to be pumped from the second container into the venturi eductors such that the waste gas or liquid is drawn from the waste inlet into the venturi eductors where it combines with the liquid treatment reagent and is thereby neutralized. The arrangement of [contains] containers and venturies provides a failsafe mechanism for preventing suckback into the waste container (which is usually the first container).

Abstract: A drill assembly for penetrating a wall of a container is provided. The container is supported by a platform within a recovery vessel. The drilling assembly allows removal of a fluid from the container. The drilling assembly includes a tube for lining a first opening into the recovery vessel, as well as a first housing having an interior. A first adapter couples the housing to a first end of the tube to partially define a longitudinal bore. A shaft is rotatably disposed within the longitudinal bore. The shaft has one end for engagement with a drill bit with the other end for engagement with a motor. The drill bit is engaged to the shaft to penetrate the container wall, while the motor is engaged to the other end of the shaft. A first seal assembly forms a first fluid barrier between the interior and the longitudinal bore. Multiple seals may be formed between the first housing and the container. The container and the adapter may be integrally connected.

Abstract: A fluid recovery system and method for accessing the contents of a target container. A preferred embodiment of the fluid recovery system includes an auxiliary processing vessel for housing a container to be accessed, a cylinder rupture vessel for housing the auxiliary processing vessel, and a tapping assembly positioned within the cylinder rupture vessel for accessing the contents of a target container. One or more fluid seals may be formed. The use of the auxiliary processing vessel of the preferred embodiment provides an extra level of protection against exposure to the contents of the container.

Abstract: A venturi eduction and scrubbing system comprising a first container and a second container in fluid communication each having a liquid treatment reagent therein. The liquid treatment reagent establishes liquid levels in the first and second containers. A waste inlet which contains waste gas or liquid to be processed is connected to at least one venturi eductor. The venturi eductors are also connected to the first container and are disposed above the liquid level of the first and second container. A pump is connected to the second container and each venturi eductor. The pump enables liquid treatment reagent to be pumped from the second container into the venturi eductors such that the waste gas or liquid is drawn from the waste inlet into the venturi eductors where it combines with the liquid treatment reagent and is thereby neutralized. The arrangement of contains and venturies provide a failsafe mechanism for preventing suckback into the waste container.

Abstract: An access and extraction assembly for use in accessing contents of a container within a sealable recovery vessel. Interchangeable seal cup adapters are provided to improved the effectiveness of seal between the assembly and various shapes and sizes of containers. An extendible segment of the access portion can extend beyond an access tool to permit reagents, solvents or similar materials to be sprayed inside the container after it has been accessed.

Abstract: A drill assembly for penetrating a wall of a container is provided. The container is supported by a platform within a recovery vessel. The drilling assembly allows removal of a fluid from the container. The drilling assembly includes a tube for lining a first opening into the recovery vessel, as well as a first housing having an interior. A first adapter couples the housing to a first end of the tube to partially define a longitudinal bore. A shaft is rotatably disposed within the longitudinal bore. The shaft has one end for engagement with a drill bit with the other end for engagement with a motor. The drill bit is engaged to the shaft to penetrate the container wall, while the motor is engaged to the other end of the shaft. A first seal assembly forms a first fluid barrier between the interior and the longitudinal bore. Multiple seals may be formed between the first housing and the container. The container and the adapter may be integrally connected.

Abstract: A waste cylinder rupture vessel for release and recontainerization of toxic contents of compressed gas cylinders is defined by an enclosed chamber which accommodates a plurality of bearing surfaces for supporting and positioning a target cylinder thereon. A puncture spike disposed within the chamber is adapted to puncture the target cylinder at its mid-section, thereby releasing its contents. Connections are provided communicating with the enclosed chamber for evacuating and recontainerizing the contents released by a punctured cylinder without release of the contents into the environment. All of the cylinder processing operations may be provided remotely.

Abstract: A drill assembly for penetrating a wall of a container is provided. The container is supported by a platform within a recovery vessel. The drilling assembly allows removal of a fluid from the container. The drilling assembly includes a tube for lining a first opening into the recovery vessel, as well as a first housing having an interior. A first adapter couples the housing to a first end of the tube to partially define a longitudinal bore. A shaft is rotatably disposed within the longitudinal bore. The shaft has one end for engagement with a drill bit with the other end for engagement with a motor. The drill bit is engaged to the shaft to penetrate the container wall, while the motor is engaged to the other end of the shaft. A first seal assembly forms a first fluid barrier between the interior and the longitudinal bore. Multiple seals may be formed between the first housing and the container. The container and the adapter may be integrally connected.

Abstract: A projectile substance is pneumatically propelled. The projection substance is inserted onto a longitudinal bore of a barrel and a rupture disk is attached to a first end of the barrel. Next, the first end of the barrel is coupled to a first end of a pneumatic reservoir having a chamber therein. The rupture disk, as attached, acts to form a seal between the longitudinal bore and the chamber. Then, a gas is introduced into the chamber until a sufficient pressure is attained within the chamber to rupture the disk. When the disk ruptures, the gas in the chamber rushes into the longitudinal bore with sufficient force to propel the projectile substance out of the barrel. One or more pistons may be slidably disposed within the chamber to form more than one chamber portion. An average pressure for propelling the projectile substance may be increased by various methods of forcing the piston(s) toward the projectile substance as it is being driven out of the barrel.

Abstract: A projectile substance is pneumatically propelled. The projectile substance is inserted onto a longitudinal bore of a barrel and a rupture disk is attached to a first end of the barrel. Next, the first end of the barrel is coupled to a first end of a pneumatic reservoir having a chamber therein. The rupture disk, as attached, acts to form a seal between the longitudinal bore and the chamber. Then, a gas is introduced into the chamber until a sufficient pressure is attained within the chamber to rupture the disk. When the disk ruptures, the gas in the chamber rushes into the longitudinal bore with sufficient force to propel the projectile substance out of the barrel. One or more pistons may be slidably disposed within the chamber to form more than one chamber portion. An average pressure for propelling the projectile substance may be increased by various methods of forcing the piston(s) toward the projectile substance as it is being driven out of the barrel.

Abstract: A containment vessel is provided to allow the safe, environmentally acceptable release and recontainerization or other processing of hazardous contents from compressed gas cylinders or other target container. The containment vessel is used to position a gas cylinder or other target container adjacent to one or more pneumatic guns. A variety of projectiles are provided for use with the pneumatic guns to pierce the body of the target container. Each pneumatic gun includes a pneumatic chamber within which is developed a secondary force and a gun barrel attached to the containment vessel to fire a projectile which will puncture the target. Connections are provided for communicating with the containment vessel for evacuating and recontainerizing the contents released by rupturing the target without releasing the contents into the environment. All of the gas cylinder processing operations may be conducted remotely.

Abstract: A fluid recovery system and method for accessing the contents of a target container. A preferred embodiment of the fluid recovery system includes an auxiliary processing vessel for housing a container to be accessed, a cylinder rupture vessel for housing the auxiliary processing vessel, and a tapping assembly positioned within the cylinder rupture vessel for accessing the contents of a target container. One or more fluid seals may be formed. The use of the auxiliary processing vessel of the preferred embodiment provides an extra level of protection against exposure to the contents of the container.

Abstract: A system for removing a gas from a pressurized gas container. A sealable, impermeable rupture vessel encloses an interior on all sides and has a sealable door for allowing access to the interior for placement therein of the gas container. A puncture device is contained within the rupture vessel for puncturing the gas container and releasing the potentially hazardous and unknown gas from the gas container into the rupture vessel. A pump draws the gas from within the rupture vessel without permitting the gas to communicate with any moving parts in the pump.

Abstract: A tapping assembly comprising a main valve for selectively opening and closing a valve passageway, a support for holding the main valve adjacent a unit to be tapped, a drill for piercing a wall of that unit with the drill including a housing and a cutting element. A coupler is provided with left-hand threads and right-hand threads for easily connecting and disconnecting the drill housing from the main valve, thereby allowing easy replacement of a drill bit. Vents are provided both upstream and downstream of the main valve for permitting controlled removal of the contents of the unit with the main valve closed and for permitting controlled removal of any contents of the unit from the coupler with the main valve closed.

Abstract: A drill assembly for penetrating a wall of a container is provided. The container is supported by a platform within a recovery vessel. The drilling assembly allows removal of a fluid from the container. The drilling assembly includes a tube for lining a first opening into the recovery vessel, as well as a first housing having an interior. A first adapter couples the housing to a first end of the tube to partially define a longitudinal bore. A shaft is rotatably disposed within the longitudinal bore. The shaft has one end for engagement with a drill bit with the other end for engagement with a motor. The drill bit is engaged to the shaft to penetrate the container wall, while the motor is engaged to the other end of the shaft. A first seal assembly forms a first fluid barrier between the interior and the longitudinal bore. Multiple seals may be formed between the first housing and the container. The container and the adapter may be integrally connected.