Abstract: Method for preparing a sustainable construction material, the method including: combining construction waste, food waste comprising calcium, and water thereby forming a waste mixture; optionally moulding the waste mixture; and contacting the waste mixture with CO2 under conditions in which at least a portion of the calcium present in the waste mixture is converted to calcium carbonate thereby forming a treated waste mixture thereby forming the sustainable construction material.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to centrifuge energy harvesting chambers (CEHCs) for gas production simulation are provided. Certain CEHCs may include a high-pressure chamber, high-pressure syringe pumps, cooling systems, an actuator and surcharge, backpressure control inside the wellbore, a heating element on the wellbore, water gas separation systems, and flow measurement systems. Certain CEHCs may also provide software operably connected to sensors and instrumentation, comprising a module to continuously, in real-time, periodically, or asynchronously, measure and monitor simulation variables.

Abstract: A device (1) comprises: a cylindrical shell (4); a first spring (5) encased inside the cylindrical shell (4); a second spring (6) encased inside the cylindrical shell (4); a separator (13) in the cylindrical shell (4) separating the first and second springs (5, 6); a first end plate (12) on a first side (13a) of the separator (13) and a second end plate (11) on a second side (13b) of the separator (13); a first rod (2) and a second rod (3) passing openings (20a, 20b) provided at each end of the cylindrical shell (4), with the first rod (2) connected to the first end plate (12) and the second rod (3) connected to the second end plate (11); and a spacer (14) inserted between the first end plate (12) and the first spring (5).

Abstract: Systems and methods related to centrifuge energy harvesting chambers (CEHCs) for gas production simulation are provided. Certain CEHCs may include a high-pressure chamber, high-pressure syringe pumps, cooling systems, an actuator and surcharge, backpressure control inside the wellbore, a heating element on the wellbore, water gas separation systems, and flow measurement systems. Certain CEHCs may also provide software operably connected to sensors and instrumentation, comprising a module to continuously, in real-time, periodically, or asynchronously, measure and monitor simulation variables.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus, method and centrifuge environmental chamber system for use in a centrifuge to induce different atmospheric paths as boundary conditions to a soil model during a centrifuge test. The invention is configured to be mounted on top of a strongbox, is based on a convection design principle, with components adapted for use in a centrifuge, and software for continuous control and data acquisition. An apparatus for a centrifuge environmental chamber can include a model strongbox including a model space, an airflow channel configured to pull air from the model space and push back the air to the model space, and a humidity nozzle placed in the model space.

Abstract: A device (1) comprises: a cylindrical shell (4); a first spring (5) encased inside the cylindrical shell (4); a second spring (6) encased inside the cylindrical shell (4); a separator (13) in the cylindrical shell (4) separating the first and second springs (5, 6); a first end plate (12) on a first side (13a) of the separator (13) and a second end plate (11) on a second side (13b) of the separator (13); a first rod (2) and a second rod (3) passing openings (20a, 20b) provided at each end of the cylindrical shell (4), with the first rod (2) connected to the first end plate (12) and the second rod (3) connected to the second end plate (11); and a spacer (14) inserted between the first end plate (12) and the first spring (5).

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus, method and centrifuge environmental chamber system for use in a centrifuge to induce different atmospheric paths as boundary conditions to a soil model during a centrifuge test. The invention is configured to be mounted on top of a strongbox, is based on a convection design principle, with components adapted for use in a centrifuge, and software for continuous control and data acquisition. An apparatus for a centrifuge environmental chamber can include a model strongbox including a model space, an airflow channel configured to pull air from the model space and push back the air to the model space, and a humidity nozzle placed in the model space.

Abstract: A landfill soil cover system is proposed for preventing water infiltration into a landfill and gas emission from the landfill under all weather conditions. The landfill cover system comprises three soil layers; namely, a clay layer, a gravelly sand layer and a silt layer, compacted successively from the bottom to the top of the system. The clay layer is compacted immediately above an optional gas collection layer and landfill waste at an optimum water content. Additionally, a trench for water drainage may be constructed, for example, every 20-40 m in the horizontal direction. Water infiltration and landfill gas emission can be prevented effectively by this landfill soil cover system under any humid, semi-arid and arid climates.

Abstract: Described herein are systems, apparatuses and methods for the design and use of a suction-controlled box for the measurement of stress-dependent soil and water characteristics, shear strength, volume changes and consolidation characteristics from a single unsaturated soil specimen. The suction-controlled box can include a suction control part and a mechanical loading part, which can apply various suctions and mechanical loadings to test a specimen for a full range of suctions. The suction-controlled box can also include a helical water compartment that can flush diffused air bubbles.

Abstract: A landfill soil cover system is proposed for preventing water infiltration into a landfill and gas emission from the landfill under all weather conditions. The landfill cover system comprises three soil layers; namely, a clay layer, a gravelly sand layer and a silt layer, compacted successively from the bottom to the top of the system. The clay layer is compacted immediately above an optional gas collection layer and landfill waste at an optimum water content. Additionally, a trench for water drainage may be constructed, for example, every 20-40 m in the horizontal direction. Water infiltration and landfill gas emission can be prevented effectively by this landfill soil cover system under any humid, semi-arid and arid climates.

Abstract: Described herein are systems, apparatuses and methods for the design and use of a suction-controlled box for the measurement of stress-dependent soil and water characteristics, shear strength, volume changes and consolidation characteristics from a single unsaturated soil specimen. The suction-controlled box can include a suction control part and a mechanical loading part, which can apply various suctions and mechanical loadings to test a specimen for a full range of suctions. The suction-controlled box can also include a helical water compartment that can flush diffused air bubbles.

Abstract: A high suction double-cell extractor includes an outer cell defining an outer chamber, and an open-ended inner cell defining an inner chamber. The inner chamber is bottle-shaped and has a neck. The high suction double-cell extractor also includes a vertical loading system for applying axial force on a soil specimen during extraction. The high suction double-cell extractor also includes a port for introduction of pressurized air supply into the outer and inner cells. The introduced pressurized air can apply cell pressure on the soil specimen during extraction. The high suction double-cell extractor also includes a relative humidity control system and a differential pressure detector system. The high suction double-cell extractor can be used to measure stress-dependent soil-water characteristics curve (SDSWCC) under various stress states three-dimensionally and more accurately, and under total suction up to 8,000 kPa.

Abstract: A high suction double-cell extractor includes an outer cell defining an outer chamber, and an open-ended inner cell defining an inner chamber. The inner chamber is bottle-shaped and has a neck. The high suction double-cell extractor also includes a vertical loading system for applying axial force on a soil specimen during extraction. The high suction double-cell extractor also includes a port for introduction of pressurized air supply into the outer and inner cells. The introduced pressurized air can apply cell pressure on the soil specimen during extraction. The high suction double-cell extractor also includes a relative humidity control system and a differential pressure detector system. The high suction double-cell extractor can be used to measure stress-dependent soil-water characteristics curve (SDSWCC) under various stress states three-dimensionally and more accurately, and under total suction up to 8,000 kPa.