Abstract: Claimed herein is a method of applying amorphous Co—SiOx to activate PMS and produce SO4·? due to the formation of Co(II)-Ov, pairs via the substitution of Si by Co. The inherent Co significantly change the electronic structure of O and Si atoms in the Co—SiOx via final state effects and increase the conductivity in terms of more effective electron transfers. The claimed method using Co—SiOx functions as a more effective oxidative catalyst for the faster degradation of pollutants. The simplicity of the synthetic procedures indicates that the conductive Co—SiOx could be used for the activation of PMS and other electrochemical applications on a wider scale.

Abstract: This invention is a novel method to thermally process wet WWTP sludges, including biosolids, so that they can be classified. Wet biosolids or other WWTP sludges are passed through the heating zones of one or more solar thermal systems so that the sludges are heated to a target temperature to meet the requirements for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classification. Various catalysts are provided before the sludges enter the heating zone and within the heating zone to optimize the treatment of the sludges.

Abstract: Claimed herein is a method of applying amorphous Co—SiOx to activate PMS and produce SO4.? due to the formation of Co(II)-Ov, pairs via the substitution of Si by Co. The inherent Co significantly change the electronic structure of O and Si atoms in the Co—SiOx via final state effects and increase the conductivity in terms of more effective electron transfers. The claimed method using Co—SiOx functions as a more effective oxidative catalyst for the faster degradation of pollutants. The simplicity of the synthetic procedures indicates that the conductive Co—SiOx could be used for the activation of PMS and other electrochemical applications on a wider scale.

Abstract: The inventive biorefinery system and method accepts municipal solid waste, sewage sludges, and/or ag-wastes and processes it through three primary conversion unit operations to produce a variety of value-added products. In a preferred embodiment, the three primary conversion units are gasification, thermal depolymerization or torrefaction/pyrolysis, and biotreatment.

Abstract: A method and device for treating contaminated or potentially contaminated items is provided. The method will include the steps of placing the items in a reactor. The reactor is then sealed and ozone or ozonated gas is sent into the reactor. The items are held in the reactor long enough to complete the decontamination process. The reactor is then opened. Next there is a period of passive reaction so that the ozone can be degraded from the pores and surfaces of the items. The device provided herein includes a reactor, an ozone generator, a rack for holding said items; and a monitor for determining the level of ozone in the reactor.

Abstract: A rack for sanitizing or cleaning medical or personal protective equipment is claimed herein. The rack has at least two stringers that run the length of the rack. The rack has at least two vertical grates that are spaced apart from each other along the stringers. The spacing between the grates will be sufficient such that a standard respiratory mask (e.g. N95) may be placed between two adjacent grates and be held in a vertical orientation.

Abstract: A method and device for treating contaminated or potentially contaminated items is provided. The method will include the steps of placing the items in a reactor. The reactor is then sealed and ozone or ozonated gas is sent into the reactor. The items are held in the reactor long enough to complete the decontamination process. The reactor is then opened. Next there is a period of passive reaction so that the ozone can be degraded from the pores and surfaces of the items. The device provided herein includes a reactor, an ozone generator, a rack for holding said items; and a monitor for determining the level of ozone in the reactor.

Abstract: A Biorefinery System (BIOSYS) that effectively treats all human activity-derived waste (black water, grey water, and food waste streams) using biological systems and that produces as process by-products: recovered potable water, liberated free oxygen, edible protein cake (with and without lipids), soil amendments, and machinery lube oils. Additionally, the system captures and chemically binds carbon dioxide into microbial cells and associated by-products, thus producing recovered usable returned cabin air.

Abstract: This invention describes a novel method for adsorbing heavy metals and a novel adsorbent for same. In one embodiment, the method is used to specifically remove Pb(II). In one embodiment, the adsorbent comprises modified carbon disulfide (“CS2”). In one or more embodiments the CS2 is modified with a graphene derivative. In one or more embodiments the graphene derivative is graphene oxide (“GO”).

Abstract: A Biorefinery System (BIOSYS) that effectively treats all human activity-derived waste (black water, grey water, and food waste streams) using biological systems and that produces as process by-products: recovered potable water, liberated free oxygen, edible protein cake (with and without lipids), soil amendments, and machinery lube oils. Additionally, the system captures and chemically binds carbon dioxide into microbial cells and associated by-products, thus producing recovered usable returned cabin air.

Abstract: A Biorefinery System (BIOSYS) that effectively treats all human activity-derived waste (black water, grey water, and food waste streams) using biological systems and that produces as process by-products: recovered potable water, liberated free oxygen, edible protein cake (with and without lipids), soil amendments, and machinery lube oils. Additionally, the system captures and chemically binds carbon dioxide into microbial cells and associated by-products, thus producing recovered usable returned cabin air.

Abstract: A Biorefinery System (BIOSYS) that effectively treats all human activity-derived waste (black water, grey water, and food waste streams) using biological systems and that produces as process by-products: recovered potable water, liberated free oxygen, edible protein cake (with and without lipids), soil amendments, and machinery lube oils. Additionally, the system captures and chemically binds carbon dioxide into microbial cells and associated by-products, thus producing recovered usable returned cabin air.

Abstract: Ordered mesoporous carbon was prepared using COK-19 silica template. Ordered mesoporous silica COK-19 was synthesized with cubic Fm3m structure. Sucrose as the carbon precursor was impregnated into the mesopores of silica and converted to carbon through carbonization process using sulfuric acid as a catalyst. Ordered mesoporous carbon was obtained after the removal of silica framework using hydrofluoric acid. Several characterization techniques such as nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms, transmission electron microscope (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, and elemental analysis were employed to characterize the OMC. The pore size analysis and TEM images confirmed that OMC has replicated the mesostructure of the COK-19. Results obtained from adsorption kinetics and isotherms suggest that the Pseudo-Second-Order Model and Langmuir Isotherm well described the experimental data. The adsorption study showed that the synthesized OMC has an adsorption capacity of 40.

Abstract: A Biorefinery System (BIOSYS) that effectively treats all human activity-derived waste (black water, grey water, and food waste streams) using biological systems and that produces as process by-products: recovered potable water, liberated free oxygen, edible protein cake (with and without lipids), soil amendments, and machinery lube oils. Additionally, the system captures and chemically binds carbon dioxide into microbial cells and associated by-products, thus producing recovered usable returned cabin air.

Abstract: A process for producing biodiesel has been invented by first extracting lipids from the sludges generated during primary and/or biological treatment of municipal, agricultural, and industrial wastewaters using primary, secondary, and tertiary treatments followed by the transesterification of the extracted lipids using transesterification conversion into alcohol-based esters. The resulting products from this process include biodiesel, glycerol, lipid-free proteins, various other useful chemicals and an aqueous-based substrate well suited for optimized digestion within subsequent biological digestion (either aerobic or anaerobic). The lipids extracted from the sludges containing high levels of microorganisms are phospholipids which can also be directly used as lecithin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sustainable process for treating contaminated fluids that utilizes a cellulose-based medium to adsorb contaminants in contaminated fluids and vapors. First, the cellulose-based material is tightly packed into a column. Contaminated fluid is then passed through the column to provide intimate contact between the contaminated fluid and the cellulose-based material. As the contaminated fluid flows through the column, the cellulose-based material adsorbs the contaminants (both organic and inorganic contaminants) due to the adsorptive properties of the cellulose-based material. The column is operated until the attenuation capacity of the cellulose-based material within the column is reached (i.e., when contaminants are found in the effluent). The cellulose-based material is then removed and composted and a new cellulose-based material is packed into the column. Composting is used to reduce the volume of the spent cellulose-based material and degrade and concentrate the contaminants.

Abstract: The invention relates to a holistic sustainable wastewater treatment system that utilizes a bast medium as the attached growth medium. The wastewater treatment system of the present invention (Bast Medium Biological Reactor Treatment System) reduces odors and in-house ammonia levels and increases the overall water quality of organic waste streams. It uses naturally occurring microorganisms to process wastewater and remove odor without chemical augmentation. The Bast Medium Biological Reactor Treatment System is simple, with few moving parts and low maintenance requirements. The invention also relates to a method for treating wastewater using the wastewater treatment system according to the present invention.

Abstract: A system for automatically delivering an anti-foaming agent to a biological aste treatment system includes a sensor for monitoring the amount of foam present in the system, a pump for pumping a predetermined quantity of anti-foaming agent into the system, and a controller for initiating the pumping sequence when the quantity of foam in the system reaches a preselected level. The controller includes two relays. The first relay controls the length of time the pump is on, thereby controlling the amount of anti-foam injected into the system, and the second relay establishes a period of time following the pumping period when the pump cannot be activated, thereby providing a period of time for the anti-foam to break down the foam before additional anti-foam can be added.