Abstract: Polystyrene drainage heads having optimized shapes to provide increased specific gravity and void volume at a given bulk density. Expanded forms of such drainage beads may be used as a geosynthetic aggregate in pre-assembled drainage units. Such pre-assembled drainage units may be used as foundation drains, septic drainage fields, or for other applications.

Abstract: Polystyrene drainage beads having optimized shapes to provide increased specific gravity and void volume at a given bulk density. Expanded forms of such drainage beads may be used as a geosynthetic aggregate in pre-assembled drainage units. Such pre-assembled drainage units may be used as foundation drains, septic drainage fields, or for other applications.

Abstract: Composite polystyrene particles have an average size less than 1200 ?m and methods of making them are provided. The composite polystyrene particles can include recycled polystyrene obtained from a variety of sources. The composite polystyrene particles can be used in a variety of applications, including packaging materials and molded supports for the shipment of fragile objects.

Abstract: A loose fill lightweight plastic aggregate for a preassembled drainage line unit. The bead comprises a central portion, at least three legs extending from each of the top and bottom of said central portion, a plurality of channels each defined by adjacent ones of said legs, the width of said legs being greater than the width of said channels. A rib protrides laterally from each of the sides of the central portion. In the drainage unit, the beads maintain a substantial void space for flow of waste water and also provide maximum surface area for bacterial breakdown of sewage wastes.

Abstract: A poultry rearing barn having its floor covered by bedding including a plurality of lightweight expanded polystyrene chips. After use, the dirty chips may be cleaned to remove waste manure and the cleaned chips may be reused again as bedding. Alternatively, the dirty chips and waste manure may be burned to generate electricity.

Abstract: A vehicle mounted fueling system identification unit including an inductive communication loop arranged to surround a fuel intake pathway of a vehicle and circuitry powered by electric power inductively received by the loop for transmitting via the loop at least one of the following parameters: vehicle identification number, credit information, required fuel particulars.