Abstract: A method and apparatus, for improving the control and the efficiency of in-situ combustion (i.e. burning of oil spills atop bodies of water) of combustible waste materials on land or sea to cleanup such waste, that is also less complex than similar apparatuses, whereby the apparatus traverses over a surface containing combustible material, allowing for vortex flow incineration of the material to occur inside a combustion chamber, aided by a vortical flow of air which is controlled for greater combustion efficiency. Compared with current methods and apparatuses to cleanup similar waste, the present method requires minimal moving parts, is mobile, is low cost, is easy to construct, enables high-quality combustion, burns faster and more complete, produces low emissions, incinerates waste material on land and water, and mitigates the creation of combustion residue which thereby mitigates the adverse effects of such combustion residue that smothers ocean life.

Abstract: A method and apparatus, for improving the control and the efficiency of in-situ combustion (i.e. burning of oil spills atop bodies of water) of combustible waste materials on land or sea to cleanup such waste, that is also less complex than similar apparatuses, whereby the apparatus traverses over a surface containing combustible material, allowing for vortex flow incineration of the material to occur inside a combustion chamber, aided by a vortical flow of air which is controlled for greater combustion efficiency. Compared with current methods and apparatuses to cleanup similar waste, the present method requires minimal moving parts, is mobile, is low cost, is easy to construct, enables high-quality combustion, burns faster and more complete, produces low emissions, incinerates waste material on land and water, and mitigates the creation of combustion residue which thereby mitigates the adverse effects of such combustion residue that smothers ocean life.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing dewatering efficiency of a solids-laden liquid stream in a wastewater treatment facility, whereby a liquids-solids stream is pumped into a mixing apparatus in a closed-channel liquid flow conduit configuration, where the liquids-solids stream is intensely mixed with air and polymer in a mixing zone created by an adjustable flow restriction device, performing similar to a venturi to increase the velocity, agitation, and turbulence of the liquids-solids stream internal to the mixer, where the introduction of air and polymer to the stream is introduced independent of mixing energy. Compared with current methods and apparatuses to mix polymer with solids-laden wastewater, the present method and apparatus requires less energy, where it enables the addition of air independent of mixing energy, and it creates a zone of mixing with greater mixing efficiency via increased turbulence.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing dewatering efficiency of a solids-laden liquid stream in a wastewater treatment facility, whereby a liquids-solids stream is pumped into a mixing apparatus in a closed-channel liquid flow conduit configuration, where the liquids-solids stream is intensely mixed with air and polymer in a mixing zone created by an adjustable flow restriction device, performing similar to a venturi to increase the velocity, agitation, and turbulence of the liquids-solids stream internal to the mixer, where the introduction of air and polymer to the stream is introduced independent of mixing energy. Compared with current methods and apparatuses to mix polymer with solids-laden wastewater, the present method and apparatus requires less energy, where it enables the addition of air independent of mixing energy, and it creates a zone of mixing with greater mixing efficiency via increased turbulence.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of lignocellulose-containing materials wherein such lignocellulose-containing materials, normally resistant to biotreatment, are first subjected to pyrolysis to produce pyrolysis products including pyrogas and char. Exemplary applications of the method include pyrolytic pre-treatment of wastewater sludges, cellulosic wastes, wood, peat, plant residues, low-grade coal, and the like. The pyrogas is introduced into digester sludge in an anaerobic digester.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the treatment of lignocellulose-containing materials by biotreatment wherein such lignocellulose-containing materials, normally resistant to biotreatment, are first subjected to a low-temperature, long-residence time pyrolysis at about 175° C. to about 325° C. for about 0.1 hour to about 2.0 hours, wherein a substantial portion of the incoming material is distilled into water-soluble compounds amenable to anaerobic biotreatment. Exemplary applications of the method include pyrolytic pre-treatment of wastewater sludges, cellulosic wastes, wood, peat, plant residues, low-grade coal, and the like to enhance methane gas production in anaerobic digestion and/or oxygen-limited or oxygen-starved fermentation to produce ethanol.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the treatment of lignocellulose-containing materials by biotreatment wherein such lignocellulose-containing materials, normally resistant to biotreatment, are first subjected to a low-temperature, long-residence time pyrolysis at about 175° C. to about 325° C. for about 0.1 hour to about 2.0 hours, wherein a substantial portion of the incoming material is distilled into water-soluble compounds amenable to anaerobic biotreatment. Exemplary applications of the method include pyrolytic pre-treatment of wastewater sludges, cellulosic wastes, wood, peat, plant residues, low-grade coal, and the like to enhance methane gas production in anaerobic digestion and/or oxygen-limited or oxygen-starved fermentation to produce ethanol.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the treatment of lignocellulose-containing materials by biotreatment wherein such lignocellulose-containing materials, normally resistant to biotreatment, are first subjected to a low-temperature, long-residence time pyrolysis at about 175° C. to about 325° C. for about 0.1 hour to about 2.0 hours, wherein a substantial portion of the incoming material is distilled into water-soluble compounds amenable to anaerobic biotreatment. Exemplary applications of the method include pyrolytic pre-treatment of wastewater sludges, cellulosic wastes, wood, peat, plant residues, low-grade coal, and the like to enhance methane gas production in anaerobic digestion and/or oxygen-limited or oxygen-starved fermentation to produce ethanol.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the treatment of lignocellulose-containing materials by biotreatment wherein such lignocellulose-containing materials, normally resistant to biotreatment, are first subjected to a low-temperature, long-residence time pyrolysis at about 175° C. to about 325° C. for about 0.1 hour to about 2.0 hours, wherein a substantial portion of the incoming material is distilled into water-soluble compounds amenable to anaerobic biotreatment. Exemplary applications of the method include pyrolytic pre-treatment of wastewater sludges, cellulosic wastes, wood, peat, plant residues, low-grade coal, and the like to enhance methane gas production in anaerobic digestion and/or oxygen-limited or oxygen-starved fermentation to produce ethanol.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the treatment of lignocellulose-containing materials by biotreatment wherein such lignocellulose-containing materials, normally resistant to biotreatment, are first subjected to a low-temperature, long-residence time pyrolysis at about 175° C. to about 325° C. for about 0.1 hour to about 2.0 hours, wherein a substantial portion of the incoming material is distilled into water-soluble compounds amenable to anaerobic biotreatment. Exemplary applications of the method include pyrolytic pre-treatment of wastewater sludges, cellulosic wastes, wood, peat, plant residues, low-grade coal, and the like to enhance methane gas production in anaerobic digestion and/or oxygen-limited or oxygen-starved fermentation to produce ethanol.

Abstract: The staging or compounding of drag-type turbines having a high energy input is herein accomplished by disposing successive stages of a drag turbine in radially offset relation, i.e., nested relationship with nozzles between radially displaced stages mounted either in fixed spatial position or mounted for rotation with the upstream rotor and providing either like or opposite directions of rotation of successive stages. The successive radial stages of the present invention are separately coupled to coaxial drive shafts which, in turn, may be appropriately coupled to rotary output means in a conventional manner to provide the output power and high efficiency of the multistaged turbine.