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. A pneumatic chamber and gun barrel are attached to the containment vessel intermediate the ends 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 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.

Abstract: A projectile substance is pneumatically propelled. The projectile substance is inserted into a longitudinal bore (23) of a barrel (22) and a rupture disk (54) is attached to a first end of the barrel (22). Next, the first end of the barrel is coupled to a first end of a pneumatic reservoir (26) having a chamber (27) therein. The rupture disk (54), as attached, acts to form a seal between the longitudinal bore (23) and the chamber (27). Then, a gas is introduced into the chamber (27) until a sufficient pressure is attained within the chamber (27) to rupture the disk (54). When the disk (54) ruptures, the gas in the chamber (27) rushes into the longitudinal (23) bore with sufficient force to propel the projectile substance out of the barrel (22).

Abstract: A drill assembly (44) for penetrating a wall (85) of a container (14) is provided. The container (14) is supported by a platform (30) within a recovery vessel (12). The drilling assembly (44) allows removal of a fluid from the container (14). The drilling assembly (44) includes a tube (88) for lining a first opening (42) into the recovery vessel (12), as well as a first housing (90) having an interior (80). A first adapter (94) couples the housing (90) to a first end (89) of the tube (88) to partially define a longitudinal bore (82). A shaft (102) is rotatably disposed within the longitudinal bore (82). The shaft (102) has one end for engagement with a drill bit (84) with the other end for engagement with a motor (46). The drill bit (84) is engaged to the shaft (102) to penetrate the container wall (85 ), while the motor (46) is engaged to the other end of the shaft (102). A first seal assembly (98) forms a first fluid barrier between the interior (80) and the longitudinal bore (82).

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 cylinder rupture vessel rotates the cylinder during the rupturing process by using at least one driven roller assembly supported on a plurality of bearing surfaces. A rupture mechanism punctures the container and, when used in combination with the roller assembly, the cylinder is cut into sections. The rupture mechanism may be a water laser, a milling tool, a plasma cutting tool, a lathe tool, or at least one cutting wheel. Relative movement between the rupture mechanism and the bearing surfaces is achieved by a plurality of actuators. Treatment or decontamination of contents may be performed in the cylinder rupture vessel.

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 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. A pneumatic chamber and gun barrel are attached to the containment vessel intermediate the ends thereof 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.