Abstract: A compound conduit containing inner and outer conduits with apertures in the former that are angled to direct jets of fluid in a rearward direction from the inner conduit into the annular space is used to draw sludge or undesirable material from a vessel without imposing a vacuum on the system. In conjunction with the compound conduit is a rotary tube seal that allows the conduit to be mounted to an orifice in a tank wall and pivoted or rotated over a range of angles. A tubing drive mechanism grasps the tubing at locations well removed from the distal end and causes the tubing to travel in the direction of the tubing axis. The gripping members in the mechanism engage the sides of the tubing and are capable of shifting position relative to each other to accommodate changes in the curvature of the tubing.

Abstract: A compound conduit containing inner and outer conduits with apertures in the former that are angled to direct jets of fluid in a rearward direction from the inner conduit into the annular space is used to draw sludge or undesirable material from a vessel without imposing a vacuum on the system. In conjunction with the compound conduit is a rotary tube seal that allows the conduit to be mounted to an orifice in a tank wall and pivoted or rotated over a range of angles. A tubing drive mechanism grasps the tubing at locations well removed from the distal end and causes the tubing to travel in the direction of the tubing axis. The gripping members in the mechanism engage the sides of the tubing and are capable of shifting position relative to each other to accommodate changes in the curvature of the tubing.

Abstract: A compound conduit containing inner and outer conduits with apertures in the former that are angled to direct jets of fluid in a rearward direction from the inner conduit into the annular space is used to draw sludge or undesirable material from a vessel without imposing a vacuum on the system. In conjunction with the compound conduit is a rotary tube seal that allows the conduit to be mounted to an orifice in a tank wall and pivoted or rotated over a range of angles. A tubing drive mechanism grasps the tubing at locations well removed from the distal end and causes the tubing to travel in the direction of the tubing axis. The gripping members in the mechanism engage the sides of the tubing and are capable of shifting position relative to each other to accommodate changes in the curvature of the tubing.

Abstract: Recycled tire rubber, either in the presence or the absence of carbonaceous waste solids such as those from petroleum refinery operations, is first subjected to a heat treatment to release volatile materials and then combined with a liquid asphalt composition to achieve an asphalt mastic that is storage stable and of uniform consistency.

Abstract: Scrap plastic is treated for incorporation into asphalt-aggregate compositions by first shredding the plastic, then heating the shredded plastic to harden any pieces of film or flexible plastic and to generally reduce the size of the shreds without decomposing the plastic, and then grinding the heat-treated pieces to a size that can be blended with an aggregate. The blend is then combined with an asphalt binder to produce an asphalt-aggregate composition. No discrimination among, or selection of, specific types or classes of plastic is required.

Abstract: Recycled tire rubber, either in the presence or the absence of carbonaceous waste solids such as those from petroleum refinery operations, is first subjected to a heat treatment to release volatile materials and then combined with a liquid asphalt composition to achieve an asphalt mastic that is storage stable and of uniform consistency.

Abstract: An asphalt mastic is prepared by combining spent activated carbon, that has not been regenerated, with liquid asphalt to achieve a composition that is useful for a variety of applications for which asphalt is used, including aggregate compositions and roofing materials. The activated carbon can also serve as a foaming initiator for the production of foamed asphalt. Still further, the activated carbon can be used as coking unit feedstock and as a quencher for a delayed coking unit.

Abstract: A compound conduit containing inner and outer conduits with apertures in the former that are angled to direct jets of fluid in a rearward direction from the inner conduit into the annular space is used to draw sludge or undesirable material from a vessel without imposing a vacuum on the system. In conjunction with the compound conduit is a rotary tube seal that allows the conduit to be mounted to an orifice in a tank wall and pivoted or rotated over a range of angles. A tubing drive mechanism grasps the tubing at locations well removed from the distal end and causes the tubing to travel in the direction of the tubing axis. The gripping members in the mechanism engage the sides of the tubing and are capable of shifting position relative to each other to accommodate changes in the curvature of the tubing.

Abstract: An asphalt mastic is prepared by combining comminuted waste solids from a petroleum refinery with liquid asphalt that is either a hot asphalt or an asphalt emulsion. The resulting composition is similar in performance to Trinidad Lake Asphalt and is useful either on its own or as a binder for asphalt-aggregate compositions, in both cases optionally in combination with polymeric additives that are common in the asphalt industry.