Abstract: A method of minimizing vapor transmission from a constructed permeability control infrastructure can comprise forming a heterogeneous hydrated matrix within the constructed permeability control infrastructure, the constructed permeability control infrastructure comprising a permeability control impoundment defining a substantially encapsulated volume. The heterogeneous hydrated matrix includes a particulate solid phase and a continuous liquid phase which is penetrable by a vapor having a permeation rate. The constructed permeability control infrastructure is operated to control the permeation rate by manipulating an operational parameter of the constructed permeability control infrastructure. Additionally, the vapor can be impeded during operating sufficient to contain the vapor within the constructed permeability control infrastructure.

Abstract: A method of minimizing vapor transmission from a constructed permeability control infrastructure can comprise forming a heterogeneous hydrated matrix within the constructed permeability control infrastructure, the constructed permeability control infrastructure comprising a permeability control impoundment defining a substantially encapsulated volume. The heterogeneous hydrated matrix includes a particulate solid phase and a continuous liquid phase which is penetrable by a vapor having a permeation rate. The constructed permeability control infrastructure is operated to control the permeation rate by manipulating an operational parameter of the constructed permeability control infrastructure. Additionally, the vapor can be impeded during operating sufficient to contain the vapor within the constructed permeability control infrastructure.

Abstract: A process for the energy efficient, environmentally friendly recovery of liquid and gaseous products from solid or semi-solid hydrocarbon resources, in particular, oil shale or tar sands. The process involves non-oxidative pyrolysis to recover fluid energy values, oxidative combustion to recover energy values as recoverable heat, and environmental sequestration of gases produced.

Abstract: A process for the energy efficient, environmentally friendly recovery of liquid and gaseous products from solid or semi-solid hydrocarbon resources, in particular, oil shale or tar sands. The process involves non-oxidative pyrolysis to recover fluid energy values, oxidative combustion to recover energy values as recoverable heat, and environmental sequestration of gases produced.

Abstract: A process for upgrading hydrocarbonaceous oil containing heteroatom-containing compounds where the hydrocarbonaceous oil is contacted with a solvent system that is a mixture of a major portion of a polar solvent having a dipole moment greater than about 1 debye and a minor portion of water to selectively separate the constituents of the carbonaceous oil into a heteroatom-depleted raffinate fraction and heteroatom-enriched extract fraction. The polar solvent and the water-in-solvent system are formulated at a ratio where the water is an antisolvent in an amount to inhibit solubility of heteroatom-containing compounds and the polar solvent in the raffinate, and to inhibit solubility of non-heteroatom-containing compounds in the extract. The ratio of the hydrocarbonaceous oil to the solvent system is such that a coefficient of separation is at least 50%.

Abstract: A process relates to the energy efficient, environmentally friendly recovery of liquid and gaseous products from solid or semi-solid hydrocarbon resources, in particular, oil shale or tar sands. The process involves non-oxidative pyrolysis to recover fluid energy values, oxidative combustion to recover energy values as recoverable heat, and environmental sequestration of gases produced.

Abstract: A process for upgrading hydrocarbonaceous oil containing heteroatom-containing compounds where the hydrocarbonaceous oil is contacted with a solvent system that is a mixture of a major portion of a polar solvent having a dipole moment greater than about 1 debye and a minor portion of water to selectively separate the constituents of the carbonaceous oil into a heteroatom-depleted raffinate fraction and heteroatom-enriched extract fraction. The polar solvent and the water-in-solvent system are formulated at a ratio where the water is an antisolvent in an amount to inhibit solubility of heteroatom-containing compounds and the polar solvent in the raffinate, and to inhibit solubility of non-heteroatom-containing compounds in the extract. The ratio of the hydrocarbonaceous oil to the solvent system is such that a coefficient of separation is at least 50%.

Abstract: A system for capturing a virtual model of a site includes a range scanner for scanning the site to generate range data indicating distances from the range scanner to real-world objects. The system also includes a global positioning system (GPS) receiver coupled to the range scanner for acquiring GPS data for the range scanner at a scanning location. In addition, the system includes a communication interface for outputting a virtual model comprising the range data and the GPS data.

Abstract: A system for capturing a virtual model of a site includes a range scanner for scanning the site to generate range data indicating distances from the range scanner to real-world objects. The system also includes a global positioning system (GPS) receiver coupled to the range scanner for acquiring GPS data for the range scanner at a scanning location. In addition, the system includes a communication interface for outputting a virtual model comprising the range data and the GPS data.

Abstract: A process for controlling the continuous production of acetylene and hydrated lime from the reaction of water with calcium carbide is disclosed where the hydrated lime is withdrawn at a desired mass ratio of the hydrated lime to the calcium carbide feed. The process is also controlled by regulating the temperature so that it is independent of the variations in the production of acetylene by regulating heat transfer to the environment at a rate to maintain a constant temperature in the reactor. Preferably, the reaction is controlled by withdrawing the hydrated lime slurry product at a rate low enough to maintain a slurry concentration of hydrated lime above about 14 weight percent.

Abstract: A solution process for the purification of calcium hydroxide, particularly from hydrated carbide lime, which is subsequently used as a feed stock for a high-value calcium product, preferably calcium carbonate. Precipitated calcium carbonate is formed by reaction of the purified calcium hydroxide solution with carbon dioxide in a plug-flow reaction system.

Abstract: An apparatus for the manufacture of acetylene and hydrated lime from the reaction of calcium carbide and an excess of water is disclosed. A primary reactor for the initial reaction of the calcium carbide and water is disposed concentrically within a secondary reactor. Hydrated lime and unreacted calcium carbide flow directly from the primary reactor to the secondary reactor, where the carbide lime settles from the water and is removed.

Abstract: A solution process for the purification of calcium hydroxide, particularly from hydrated carbide lime, which is subsequently used as a feed stock for a high-value calcium product, preferably calcium carbonate. Precipitated calcium carbonate is formed by reaction of the purified calcium hydroxide solution with carbon dioxide in a plug-flow reaction system.

Abstract: A method for calculating the average aggregate mass of individual molecules in a sample, where the molecules in solution associate to form clusters. Data sets of average aggregate mass of the sample versus concentration of the sample in the solvent are generated. The basic principles and technology in generation of the data is the well understood action of a solute upon the solvent vapor pressure above the solution. By observing the effect of a sample solute on the temperature/vapor pressure properties of a solvent, if is possible by known methods to determine its average aggregate mass. When dealing with a solute material that tends to form clusters, however, the average aggregate mass found is an apparent average aggregate mass, i.e. the average aggregate mass of all of the particles, which are the clusters and any unassociated molecules, if any. To determine the true average aggregate mass, a method employing the determined apparent average aggregate masses, referred to herein as the BRD method, is used.

Abstract: A method for calculating the average molecular weight of individual molecules in a sample, where the molecules in solution associate to form clusters. Data sets of apparent molecular weight of the sample versus concentration of the sample in the solvent are generated. The basic principles and technology in generation of the data is the well understood action of a solute upon the solvent vapor pressure above the solution. By observing the effect of a sample solute on the temperature/vapor pressure properties of a solvent, it is possible by known methods to determine its molecular weight. When dealing with a solute material that tends to form clusters, however, the molecular weight found is an apparent molecular weight, i.e. the average molecular weight of all of the particles, which are the clusters and any unassociated molecules, if any. To determine the true molecular weight, a method employing the determined apparent molecular weights, referred to herein as the BRD method, is used.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the remediation of soil is provided with a plug flow of soil and counter-current wash of water. The contaminant-containing soil with water is first treated to disengage the contaminant from the soil and form a liquid phase containing water and contaminant. The treated soil and liquid phase is continuously introduced into a wash zone at a first end of the wash zone, and the soil and the liquid phase are conveyed in successive and discrete portions through the wash zone between the first end of the wash zone and a second end of the wash zone to provide an essentially plug-flow of the soil through the wash zone.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the remediation of soil is provided with a plug flow of soil and counter-current wash of water. The contaminant-containing soil with water is first treated to disengage the contaminant from the soil and form a liquid phase containing water and contaminant. The treated soil and liquid phase is continuously introduced into a wash zone at a first end of the wash zone, and the soil and the liquid phase are conveyed in successive and discrete portions through the wash zone between the first end of the wash zone and a second end of the wash zone to provide an essentially plug-flow of the soil through the wash zone.

Abstract: A two-stage process for producing acetylene and calcium chloride from calcium carbide and water has two successive reaction steps. In step Number 1, calcium carbide is charged into an entrained flow-type reactor vessel containing water. The reaction which follows proceeds to about 60-90% completion. The entrained reaction products and the unreacted feed material are carried over to a secondary reactor to complete the reaction, and the acetylene gas is drawn off. Calcium hydroxide product is removed from the reactor and reacted with hydrogen chloride to form calcium chloride. Heat generated by the exothermic reactions of water with calcium carbide and HCl with calcium hydroxide is used to dry the calcium chloride product and improve its value. In the presence of excess water, the calcium carbide-water reaction is effectively a first order, irreversible reaction.

Abstract: A two-stage process for producing acetylene and calcium chloride from calcium carbide and water has two successive reaction steps. In step Number 1, calcium carbide is charged into an entrained flow-type reactor vessel containing water. The reaction which follows proceeds to about 60-90% completion. The entrained reaction products and the unreacted feed material are carried over to a secondary reactor to complete the reaction, and the acetylene gas is drawn off. Calcium hydroxide product is removed from the reactor and reacted with hydrogen chloride to form calcium chloride. Heat generated by the exothermic reactions of water with calcium carbide and HCl with calcium hydroxide is used to dry the calcium chloride product and improve its value. In the presence of excess water, the calcium carbide-water reaction is effectively a first order, irreversible reaction.

Abstract: A system for capturing a virtual model of a site includes a range scanner for scanning the site to generate range data indicating distances from the range scanner to real-world objects. The system also includes a global positioning system (GPS) receiver coupled to the range scanner for acquiring GPS data for the range scanner at a scanning location. In addition, the system includes a communication interface for outputting a virtual model comprising the range data and the GPS data.