Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for the treatment of liquid runoff, such as rainfall, irrigation, and waste or produced water, utilizing aboveground, modular, permeable barriers containing reactive media that can immobilize particular solutes of concern, removing them from the liquid runoff. The modular design allows construction of a relatively-uniform barrier, or media volume, that is self-supporting and easily assembled, maintained, modified, and augmented. A permeable reactive barrier constructed according to the present invention provides significant contact between the reactive media and the solutes of concern while allowing the runoff stream to flow through the structure relatively unimpeded.

Abstract: A process for removing a solute from a fluid process stream containing said solute and containing a solvent. The process comprises (a) continuously contacting the process stream with a portion of a rotating mass of sorbent material at a temperature that allows sorption of the solute by the sorbent material to form a solute-adsorbed portion of sorbent material; (b) continuously rotating the mass of sorbent material; (c) raising the temperature of the solute-adsorbed and rotated portion of sorbent material by contacting said portion with an eluant stream having a temperature that allows release of the solute to form an eluted portion of sorbent material; (d) cooling the further rotated and eluted portion with a cooling stream to form a regenerated portion of sorbent material; simultaneously with steps ad collecting product stream containing solvent, and continuously repeating the above-named steps.

Abstract: A monolithic hygroscopic material shaped to facilitate a circulation flow of ambient air. The hygroscopic material may be used to remove various compounds from an ambient gas and may be reactivated to restore its drying capacity. The tendency of the material to seek equilibrium may be utilized to achieve dehumidification or humidification.

Abstract: A humidity control system. The system comprises a housing containing one or more hygroscopic monoliths to provide, and passively sustain, the capacity to control the humidity on an intermittent basis. The present invention may be employed either independently or as part of a larger climate control system.

Abstract: A monolithic hygroscopic material shaped to facilitate a circulation flow of ambient air. The hygroscopic material may be used to remove various compounds from an ambient gas and may be reactivated to restore its drying capacity. The tendency of the material to seek equilibrium may be utilized to achieve dehumidification or humidification.

Abstract: A hygroscopic material having at least one passageway or channel therethrough. In a dehumidifier embodiment, the material is shaped to provide a surface area to facilitate gas flow, and drying of an ambient gas by creating a chimney effect which facilitates mixing of the gas. This causes the heavier water vapor or other compound containing gas to contact adsorbent material adjacent to the passageway or channel, adsorb at least some of the compound, and cause the lighter gas to exit the passageway or channel. The dehumidifier may have various shapes and sizes and can be reactivated to restore its drying capacity. When utilized as a humidifier, the material desorbs or adds the constituent (such as water vapor) to the gas and a downdraft rather than a chimney effect is achieved.

Abstract: A regenerative desiccant air dryer system. Dry air is alternately drawn from approximately the center of two desiccant housings which are open at the top and bottom. A reclamation assembly directs dry air into the housing being purged to assist in the purging of moisture from the desiccant, and subsequently cooling the desiccant. The system is portable and operated by a programmable controller.

Abstract: A hammer with a nonmagnetic handle has a head on one end of the handle and a magnet permanently embedded in a lower end portion of the handle opposite the head. The magnet is disposed in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the handle. The magnet has an outer end disposed on the surface of the handle so that a nail will be held perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle and it can be lightly tapped into a work surface by a person gripping the hammer proximate its head.