Abstract: An apparatus and method for covering landfill includes a deployer suspended below the bucket of a loader. A roll of film is disposed on the deployer and uncoiled to deploy a film covering on the landfill surface as the loader driven across the surface. Periodically, the bucket, containing a ballast material, is manipulated, allowing ballast material to be disposed on the film to hold the deployed film in place. In a preferred embodiment, the deployer includes a mandrel mounted between two flanges for supporting a roll of film. The deployer is preferably attached to the bucket by chains or wire rope in such a manner so as to allow full operation of bucket while the deployer is attached. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a sprayer to apply a fluid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is used for covering the exposed workface of a landfill with a film. The apparatus includes a compactor rotatably mounted on a frame which is hitched to a tractor. A film, spray and ballast deployer is mounted on the end of the frame for spraying the landfill, deploying the film onto the landfill, and deploying the ballast onto the film. The compactor includes a roller which compacts the waste prior to spraying the landfill and deploying the film and serves as a wheel for the frame. Hydraulics are provided to raise and lower the deployer. In operation, the assembly is pulled by the tractor causing the compactor to compact the waste just prior to the deployer laying the film on the workface and the ballast being deposited onto the film. Additionally, the apparatus is capable of casing the overlapping layers of laid film to adhere to the ballast in between thereby forming a seal between the adjoining layers.

Abstract: An air pollution control assembly for treating flue gas streams containing acid gases. The assembly is comprised of an evaporative cooler assembly or a spray dryer gas distribution system. The assembly further has a reagent injection venturi assembly and a baghouse assembly. The baghouse assembly includes a filter cake management system which is automatically activated with respect to time and the pressure differential across the filter bags.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a paint stripping composition comprising (a) from about 0.5 to about 50% by weight of an aromatic alcohol, such as benzyl alcohol; (b) from about 0.5 to about 20% by weight of malic acid; and (c) from about 15 to about 60% by weight of water. The pH of the composition broadly ranges from about 2 to about 3. The stripping composition of the present invention is free of chlorinated solvents, environmentally safe, and user-friendly. It is non-corrosive or only slightly corrosive to substrates, non-flammable, non-toxic, flow odor, and fully biodegradable. A method of preparing the paint stripping composition is also provided.

Abstract: A municipal waste gasification system comprises a plurality of primary gasification chambers for receiving municipal waste, a means for operating the municipal waste gasification system so that one or more of the primary gasification chambers may be idle while the other primary gasification chambers are operating to produce an effluent by an oxygen-starved process, a means for heating the municipal waste under oxygen-starved conditions in the primary gasification chambers in order to gasify the municipal waste and produce the effluent, and at least one mixing chamber positioned to receive the effluent produced by the primary gasification chambers with an effluent pathway extending through each mixing chamber.

Abstract: The reactive waste deactivation facility includes a plurality of deactivation bays each being adapted to accommodate a different type or reactive waste which is to be deactivated therein. The deactivation bays are all enclosed within a common expansion chamber that is designed to collect waste gasses and other wastes resulting from the deactivations that take place in the plurality of bays. In addition, an air pollution control system is provided for cooling and treating the waste gasses before they are vented to the atmosphere. The facility may also include a remotely operable waste feeding system for enabling an operator to safely feed or charge each of the bays. A waste collection and removal system is also provided, which includes an individual, remotely operable, releaseable floor connected to each of the bays.

Abstract: A system for treating contaminated media is provided. In the process, contaminants are removed from the media using a photocatalytic process operating in an aqueous phase.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for covering a landfill includes a deployer suspended below the bucket of a loader. A roll of film is disposed on the deployer and uncoiled to deploy a film covering on the landfill surface as the loader driven across the surface. Periodically, the bucket, containing a ballast material, is manipulated, allowing ballast material to be disposed on the film to hold the deployed film in place. In a preferred embodiment, the deployer includes a mandrel mounted between two flanges for supporting a roll of film. The deployer is preferably attached to the bucket by chains or wire rope in such a manner so as to allow full operation of bucket while the deployer is attached.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an aerosol formulation comprising (A) a composition comprising (i) from about 20 to about 50% by weight of an aromatic alcohol, such as benzyl alcohol, (ii) from about 5 to about 50% by weight of an accelerator, and (iii) from about 0.5 to about 5.0% by weight of water, based upon 100% weight of total composition; and (B) a propellant. The aerosol formulation is useful for removing paints, coatings, grease, and other residues from various substrates. A method of preparing the aerosol formulation is also provided.

Abstract: An improved fuel additive formulation, method of use, and method of producing the fuel formulation are described. The improved fuel additive of the present invention comprises a mixture of nitroparaffins (comprising nitromethane, nitroethane, and nitropropane), and a combination of modified commercially available ester oil and toluene. The ratio of ester oil and toluene to nitroparaffin is preferably less than 20 volume percent, with nitroparaffins comprising the balance of the additive. A method of preparing and using the additive formulation is also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sterilizing organic or inorganic matter through simultaneous exposure to ultraviolet light energy and ultrasonic wave energy in a non-aqueous environment such as air. The method is suitable for use in a chamber or in a mass production assembly line setting. Purification of air is similarly accomplished using simultaneous exposure to ultraviolet light and ultrasonic energy waves.

Abstract: The present invention provides tunable waste conversion systems and apparatus which have the advantage of highly robust operation and which provide complete or substantially complete conversion of a wide range of waste streams into useful gas and a stable, nonleachable solid product at a single location with greatly reduced air pollution to meet air quality standards. The systems provide the capability for highly efficient conversion of waste into high quality combustible gas and for high efficiency conversion of the gas into electricity by utilizing a high efficiency gas turbine or an internal combustion engine. The solid product can be suitable for various commercial applications. Alternatively, the solid product stream, which is a safe, stable material, may be disposed of without special considerations as hazardous material.

Abstract: This invention relates to generally an apparatus and method for accumulating and discharging a gas under pressure or vacuum to aid the remediation of a contaminated porous medium, such as soil or both. In one aspect, a windmill, an air pump, and a linkage between the windmill and the pump to permit the windmill to drive the pump at a higher differential pressure than the dynamic pressure of the wind. A venting head connected in fluid communication with the pump for placement to interact with a porous medium to be vented at a level above the water table.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for altering the physical characteristics of liquids and gases. The fluid is pumped into an elongated cylindrical chamber whose elongated wall contains a multiplicity of spaced apart cylindrical holes under sufficient pressure to cause the fluid to exit from the cylindrical holes as jets having an exit velocity of at least 0.025 feet (0.0076 m) per second. The jets of fluid exit from the cylindrical holes into an annular chamber surrounding the elongated cylindrical chamber and having a common axis as the elongated cylindrical chamber. The entire inner surface of the annular chamber is coated with an alloy of copper and nickel. The jets of fluid bombard the surfaces of the annular chamber to induce the copper-nickel alloy to give up electrons. The freed electrons combine with a significant number of molecules of the fluid to thereby alter the physical characteristics of the entire body of fluid.

Abstract: A sterilization method for organic or inorganic matter which combines exposure to ultraviolet light and ultrasonic waves. The ultrasound waves are applied "dry" in that the object is not immersed into a liquid solution during the exposure cycle. This makes the sterilization method suitable for use in a mass production assembly line setting. Exposure of the object to the ultraviolet light and ultrasound waves can occur simultaneously, sequentially, or in alternating fashion.

Abstract: A quick-connect diverter valve for use in connecting existing water faucets and water filtration units in and around a kitchen, or other areas where clean drinking water is desired. The device consists of a body having a movable sleeve adaptor at one end and an outlet opening at the other end. The sleeve adaptor is slidable to allow the body to be quickly inserted onto and held in an annular groove formed on a snap adapter secured to an outlet end of an existing faucet or tap. The body of the device includes a central chamber having an easily operated piston valve member which is slidingly held therein so that upon actuation of an operating member, the valve member is moved in a first direction to allow entering water to flow from the device into a water filter and back from the water filter through a further chamber and out the outlet end of the device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for the separation of non-polar organic molecules from fluids which utilize certain hydrocarbon block copolymers having soft and hard segments as absorbents. By employing hydrocarbon block copolymer having a particular concentration of soft and hard segments, optimum absortion is achieved while maintaining the mechanical structure of the absorbent so that it can withstand high fluid flow rates.

Abstract: The present invention provides a waste treatment process and device thereof which can reduce the size and weight of organic waste by decomposing the waste to powder form and bacteria free substance that may be used as a kind of fertilizer for plants. The waste is first frozen by liquefied nitrogen in a cooling chamber to a temperature less than -200.degree. F., wherein during this freezing procedure, the gas generated from the waste must be removed from the cooling chamber. Then, the frozen nitrogen is immediately transferred to a heated chamber having a temperature of at least 160.degree. F. but not exceed 200.degree. F. During this heating procedure, the water content of the waste is sucked out of the heated chamber, so that the waste is decomposed to form the bacteria free powder.

Abstract: A method for reducing the carbon content of a combustion ash containing siliceous ash particles and carbon particles includes subjecting the combustion ash to comminution to reduce the particle size of the siliceous ash particles and the carbon particles followed by separating a portion of the carbon particles from the siliceous ash particles by subjecting the comminuted ash to a flow of gas which separates the carbon particles from the siliceous ash particles. The method preferably is performed in a unitary housing by employing autogenous grinding to effect the comminution of the particles and employing a classifying rotor to separate the comminuted portion of the carbon particles based on the density differential between the siliceous ash particles and the carbon particles. A method of making a concrete mixture employing the obtained combustion ash with reduced carbon content is also provided. An apparatus for reducing the carbon content of the combustion ash is also provided.