Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus for delivery of a gas, e.g., carbon dioxide and/or chlorine dioxide, and methods of its use and manufacture. The apparatus includes an envelope, and a sachet within the envelope that contains reactant, which generates a gas in the presence of an initiating agent, e.g., water. The envelope allows release of the gas from the envelope. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes an envelope and a partition that separates two reactants within the envelope. The envelope allows an initiating agent into the envelope and release of the gas generated by the reactants in the presence of the initiating agent.

Abstract: An electrode assembly comprising concentric tubular electrodes is provided for high temperature processing of materials. The electrode assembly is connected with a power supply that includes switching means for alternatively operating the electrode assembly in a transferred mode of operation, in a non-transferred mode of operation, or according to a controlled sequence of non-transferred and transferred modes of operation. The power supply system includes variable inductors, such as leakage-coupled reactors, for controlling the electrical power supplied to the electrodes for producing a DC arc. The electrode assembly can be incorporated into an arc furnace for processing waste material in the furnace. The electrode assembly is also suitable for use in the practice of in-situ vitrification and remediation of contaminated soil.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a method of disposing of mercury-containing wastewater containing mercury-complexing materials, comprising the steps of treating wastewater containing mercury ions with a strong oxidizing agent in a reaction chamber to produce pretreated wastewater by removing an effluent stream of pretreated wastewater from the reaction chamber; and passing the effluent stream of pretreated wastewater through a column packed with a mercury-selective adsorbent material to produce an effluent stream of wastewater having a reduced mercury content. The adsorbent material is a porous resin having immobilized mercury-selective chelating groups bound thereto. A particularly preferred adsorbent material is a crosslinked styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer having immobilized dithiocarbamate groups bound thereto.

Abstract: An electrode assembly comprising concentric tubular electrodes is provided for high temperature processing of materials. The electrode assembly is connected with a power supply that includes switching means for alternatively operating the electrode assembly in a transferred mode of operation, in a non-transferred mode of operation, or according to a controlled sequence of non-transferred and transferred modes of operation. The power supply system includes variable inductors, such as leakage-coupled reactors, for controlling the electrical power supplied to the electrodes for producing a DC arc. The electrode assembly can be incorporated into an arc furnace for processing waste material in the furnace. The electrode assembly is also suitable for use in the practice of in-situ vitrification and remediation of contaminated soil.

Abstract: An electrode assembly comprising concentric tubular electrodes is provided for high temperature processing of materials. The electrode assembly is connected with a power supply that includes switching means for alternatively operating the electrode assembly in a transferred mode of operation, in a non-transferred mode of operation, or according to a controlled sequence of non-transferred and transferred modes of operation. The power supply system includes variable inductors, such as leakage-coupled reactors, for controlling the electrical power supplied to the electrodes for producing a DC arc. The electrode assembly can be incorporated into an arc furnace for processing waste material in the furnace. The electrode assembly is also suitable for use in the practice of in-situ vitrification and remediation of contaminated soil.

Abstract: An electrode assembly comprising concentric tubular electrodes is provided for high temperature processing of materials. The electrode assembly is connected with a power supply that includes switching means for alternatively operating the electrode assembly in a transferred mode of operation, in a non-transferred mode of operation, or according to a controlled sequence of non-transferred and transferred modes of operation. The power supply system includes variable inductors, such as leakage-coupled reactors, for controlling the electrical power supplied to the electrodes for producing a DC arc. The electrode assembly can be incorporated into an arc furnace for processing waste material in the furnace. The electrode assembly is also suitable for use in the practice of in-situ vitrification and remediation of contaminated soil.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus for delivery of a gas, e.g., carbon dioxide and/or chlorine dioxide, and methods of its use and manufacture. The apparatus includes an envelope, and a sachet within the envelope that contains reactant, which generates a gas in the presence of an initiating agent, e.g., water. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a barrier layer, a sachet layer disposed adjacent to the barrier layer, a reactant disposed between the barrier layer and the sachet layer that generates a gas in the presence of an initiating agent, and an envelope layer disposed adjacent to the sachet layer.

Abstract: In an arc furnace or melter furnace employing concentric graphite inner and outer electrodes, the accumulations of tolerances, distortion and mechanical forces can cause a loss of concentricity leading to reduced performance and eventually to electrode degradation. To avoid that condition, a plurality of insulating spherical or cylindrical spacers are disposed in the annular gap between the inner and outer electrodes. The spacers are held in position by arcuate recesses in the outer surface of the inner electrode or in the inner surface of the outer electrode. The electrodes may be constructed in segments that are assembled by threading one segment into another segment.

Abstract: An electrode assembly comprising concentric tubular electrodes is provided for high temperature processing of materials. The electrode assembly is connected with a power supply that includes switching means for alternatively operating the electrode assembly in a transferred mode of operation, in a non-transferred mode of operation, or according to a controlled sequence of non-transferred and transferred modes of operation. The power supply system includes variable inductors, such as leakage-coupled reactors, for controlling the electrical power supplied to the electrodes for producing a DC arc. The electrode assembly can be incorporated into an arc furnace for processing waste material in the furnace. The electrode assembly is also suitable for use in the practice of in-situ vitrification and remediation of contaminated soil.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for the efficient recycling of components involved in removing water insoluble contaminants from the surface of articles. A physically emulsified terpene-containing composition is applied to the surface of articles to effectively remove water insoluble contaminants. Following application, the physically emulsified composition quickly separates, releasing the contaminants and terpene from the water. The water, terpene and contaminants are separated for reuse in accordance with the present process. The physically emulsified composition includes between about 2 weight percent and about 40 weight percent of a terpene in water.

Abstract: A method is provided for cleaning parts soiled with oil components and seating terpenes from oil compositions using filters having suitable pore sizes to allow terpene components to pass through the walls of the filter as a permeate while not allowing oil components to pass therethrough. A separate aspect of the present invention utilizes a ceramic filter capable of separating water components from a mixture of terpenes and oil, thus allowing filtered water to be reused in a cleaning procedure. Using both types of filters in one operation provides a substantially closed loop recycling system where terpene components can be reused to clean additional articles, water can be reused to rinse such articles and contaminants removed in the cleaning process can be either reused or disposed of.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for reducing volatile organic compound emissions during the processing and coating of articles contaminated with water insoluble contaminants. The process prevents the formation of undesired etching and pitting which increases the surface area of an article. The use of volatile organic compound-containing surface coatings is thereby reduced resulting in reduced volatile organic compound emissions. The process of the present invention includes contacting a surface with a terpene finishing agent to remove water insoluble contaminants from such surface and applying an amount of volatile organic compound-containing coating to effectively cover the surface at a desired coating thickness.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for decorating metal surfaces contaminated with water insoluble contaminants. The method prevents the formation of undesired etching and pitting of treated surfaces, thereby increasing reflectivity of such surfaces, increasing the mobility of articles treated by such method and decreasing the amount of surface coating required to achieve a desired coating thickness as compared to conventional treatment and coating methods. In one embodiment of the invention, contaminating oils present on the surface of metal containers are removed using a terpene finishing agent resulting in a metal surface roughness average of less than about 10.0 Ra.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device method and kit for the convenient and rapid isolation and purification of nucleic acids, proteins, peptides, carbohydrates and oligosaccharides from heterogeneous biological samples. The device comprises a membrane assembly comprised of layers of microporous, polymeric membranes functionalized with ion-exchange groups. The device is reusable for like samples, relatively inexpensive compared to currently available separation techniques and is disposable, thereby avoiding cross-contamination of biological samples.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing metal containers using a cleaning agent having a substantially neutral pH is disclosed. Lubricants and coolants used during the container forming process are cleaned from the surface of metal containers by using a terpene cleaning agent comprising d-limonene, alpha-terpineol, beta-terpineol, alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, alcohols of such agents or mixtures thereof. Surfactants may also be used to aid in the cleaning process. The organic component of the cleaning agent, as well as lubricants, coolants and aqueous components, are separated for recycling and re-use.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for separating components of liquids in industrial processes for cleaning of articles. The process is directed toward a terpene-based cleaning system including washing and rinsing of contaminated articles and which further includes separating components of used wash and/or rinse solutions into component parts so that terpene components of the solutions can be recycled for further washing and the water component of the solutions can be purified and recycled for rinsing. The method can include filtering a stream directly from the wash solution to avoid fouling of the filter. The method also includes using a cross flow filter having a pore size of between about 50 .ANG. and about 7,500 .ANG. to effectively separate water from remaining components of the contaminated wash solution.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition and process for cleaning articles contaminated with water insoluble contaminants. The process allows for efficient recycling of components in the system. The wash solution effectively cleans water insoluble contaminants and, upon settling, quickly releases contaminants from the wash solution. In this manner, the wash solution and components of it can be readily recycled. The composition of the present invention includes between about 1.86 volume percent and about 37.2 volume percent terpene, preferably d-limonene, and between about 0.14 volume percent and about 2.8 volume percent surfactant.

Abstract: A method for finishing metal surfaces, especially that of metal containers, using a cleaning agent having a substantially neutral pH is provided. In one embodiment of the invention lubricants and coolants used during container forming processes are cleaned from the surface of metal containers by using a terpene cleaning agent comprising d-limonene, alpha-terpineol, beta-terpineol, alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, alcohols of such agents or mixtures thereof. Surfactants may also be used to aid in the cleaning process. The organic component of the cleaning agent, as well as lubricants, coolants and aqueous components, are separated for recycling and re-use. Cleaning metal surfaces according to the method of the present invention has many attendant advantages including decreased roughness and increased reflectivity of metal surfaces, increased mobility on a container production line, and reduced amounts of paint, overcoat and internal coat required to decorate metal surfaces.