Abstract: Apparatus for allowing thermal dimensional changes of metal parts in a retort mechanism including, a retort chamber, a retort pipe axially extending within the retort chamber and having a material inlet and outlet portion, a retort auger axially extending from the inlet portion to the outlet portion of the retort pipe, the retort pipe having an outer end wall at the inlet end thereof, the retort auger being fixed to the outer end wall so as to be rotatable within the retort pipe, the retort pipe, retort auger and outer end wall being mounted so as to be axially slidable within the retort chamber in response to thermal expansion, and a circumferential seal mounted on the retort chamber and in contact with the retort pipe so as to maintain a sealing relationship during axial sliding.

Abstract: An improved method for detoxification of contaminated liquids or solid materials by the application of ultrasonic energy to the material in the presence of agents capable of initiating chemical reactions with toxic contaminants, which chemical reactions facilitate the removal of the toxic contaminants.

Abstract: A wire frame assembly for supporting an air filtration bag includes two wire form sections detachably coupled at a frame junction. Each frame section includes a plurality of wire elements extending along the length thereof, and presenting ends terminating at the frame junction. A generally annular ring is carried by one of the frame sections at the frame junction, with the ring protruding outwardly beyond the periphery of the frame assembly. The air filtration bag is accordingly isolated from coming into contact with the sharp wire element ends.

Abstract: A method for on-site bioremediation of soils contaminated with petroleum derived hazardous wastes is described. This method for enhancing bioremediation includes the step of applying a cationic ion exchange resin to the contaminated soil in an amount sufficient to promote growth of organisms capable of degrading the hazardous waste.

Abstract: SO.sub.3 flue gas-condition systems provide a controlled flow of flue gas-conditioning agent such as SO.sub.3 into a boiler flue gas and its entrained particulate material ahead of an electrostatic precipitator. The systems monitor the opacity of the stack effluent and operate to maintain a flow of SO.sub.3 -conditioning agent into the boiler flue gas to provide minimal opacity of the stack effluent. The systems operate to hunt and operate at SO.sub.3 -conditioning agent flow rate corresponding to minimal opacity of the stack effluent and to eliminate corrections that may be due to transient operating conditions such as boiler upsets, precipitator rapping and the like. The systems include features providing improved conversion of SO.sub.2 l into SO.sub.3, integrated assemblies to provide SO.sub.2 from sulfur and sulfur dioxide conversion units adapted to convert SO.sub.2 into SO.sub.3 at a plurality of remote SO.sub.3 injection sites.

Abstract: An electrostatic waste separation process for abrasive blasting residues containing an abrasive media and a hazardous material such as lead-based paint. A preconditioning stage as well as a postconditioning stage is used in addition to the electrostatic separation step. Preferably the preconditioning stage consists of the following steps: (a) a size classification step; (b) a ferromagnetic separation step; and (c) a gravity separation step. The concentrated hazardous material separated by this process can then be packaged in a container which can be safely transported, stored or disposed of. The nonhazardous blasting media may be recycled and reused or disposed of as a nonhazardous material.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to automatic flow blending of gas mixtures useful for calibrating gas analyzing instruments of the kind used in measuring atmospheric pollutants and the like. According to the disclosure the component gases reduced in pressure from the storage pressure, are continually mixed in a mixing zone at low pressure and pumped to high pressure for charging high pressure storage vessels. The mixture in the high pressure charging line is continuously monitored with a gas analyzer instrument. Variations from the desired blend are converted into an analog signal which is used to control various valve mechanisms for regulating the flow of gases to the low pressure mixing zone so that a match of the desired blend of gases is obtained.