Abstract: A process for vitrifying waste material containing environmentally hazardous metals or metal compounds includes drying a waste material using a flash dryer, where the drying is carried out at a temperature low enough to prevent volatilization of hazardous metals and metal compounds contained in the waste material. Preferably, more than about 95% of the water is removed form the waste material. The dried waste material is transferred from the flash dryer into a melting vessel, melted, collected and cooled to form a vitrified mass of waste material. Gases produced during the process of the invention are filtered, treated, and released into the atmosphere.

Abstract: A process for vitrifying waste material containing environmentally hazardous metals or metal compounds includes drying a waste material using a flash dryer, where the drying is carried out at a temperature low enough to prevent volatilization of hazardous metals and metal compounds contained in the waste material. Preferably, more than about 95% of the water is removed form the waste material. The dried waste material is transferred from the flash dryer into a melting vessel, melted, collected and cooled to form a vitrified mass of waste material. Gases produced during the process of the invention are filtered, treated, and released into the atmosphere.

Abstract: A universal sampling device for retrieving samples of high and low viscosity substances at various depths and from specific portions of contained bodies of materials without being completely submerged therein, is disclosed. The sampling device is made of chemically inert material, has manually operable inlet and outlet vent valve means attached to opposite inlet and outlet ends of a relatively long tube into which the sample enters upon opening of the inlet and outlet valve means at the desired point in the substance to be tested. Means are provided for manually closing and opening of the inlet valve means such as pushing and pulling a valve stem by hand into sealingly engagement with an inlet valve body. Another method attaches a valve stem to an adjustable valve control rod extending upwardly through the tube and outlet valve means.

Abstract: A projectile substance is pneumatically propelled. The projectile substance is inserted into a longitudinal bore (23) of a barrel (22) and a rupture disk (54) is attached to a first end of the barrel (22). Next, the first end of the barrel is coupled to a first end of a pneumatic reservoir (26) having a chamber (27) therein. The rupture disk (54), as attached, acts to form a seal between the longitudinal bore (23) and the chamber (27). Then, a gas is introduced into the chamber (27) until a sufficient pressure is attained within the chamber (27) to rupture the disk (54). When the disk (54) ruptures, the gas in the chamber (27) rushes into the longitudinal (23) bore with sufficient force to propel the projectile substance out of the barrel (22).

Abstract: A remotely controlled fluid sampling device adapted to take and retrieve samples from any depth or level within a body of fluid comprises an elongated tubular container, the upper outlet end of which is sealingly attached to an end cap. The end cap has a vent passage, a drain passage, a manually operated stop cock for opening and closing off the drain passage, and an eye or hook portion for attaching a support means thereto. A sealed housing is sealingly attached to the opposite inlet end portion of the tubular container and encloses an upper valve chamber with a fluid passage in its outer wall and a lower power chamber separated by an upper end wall in which a valve bore is sealingly engaged by an axially moveable valve stem.

Abstract: A universal sampling device for retrieving samples of high and low viscosity substances at various depths and from specific portions of contained bodies of materials without being completely submerged therein, is disclosed. The sampling device is made of chemically inert material, has manually operable inlet and outlet vent valve means attached to opposite inlet and outlet ends of a relatively long tube into which the sample enters upon opening of the inlet and outlet valve means at the desired point in the substance to be tested. Means are provided for manually closing and opening of the inlet valve means such as pushing and pulling a valve stem by hand into sealingly engagement with an inlet valve body. Another method attaches a valve stem to an adjustable valve control rod extending upwardly through the tube and outlet valve means.

Abstract: A device made of non-contaminating inert material for taking and preserving a fluid sample containing volatile substances for analysis having a tubular body with gas tight valves at opposite end portions which are opened to allow fluid to pass into and out of a chamber and closed to seal off the escape of and preserve a fluid sample therein during transfer to a laboratory for analysis. Opposite end portions of the tubular body are adapted for attachment of a lower one-way inlet check valve unit and an upper outlet extension unit thereto used with a supporting line or rod to lower and raise the device into and out of a body of fluid and thereby take a fluid sample thereof for analysis. Closing of the valves traps fluid and seals off the sample taken into the chamber between the valves and is removed therefrom by piercing a septum located adjacent the chamber and between the valves by suitable means including a hypodermic needle.

Abstract: Improved clarity in treated wastewater is achieved by adding a flocculating agent following screening by fine mesh screening means, preferably a centrifugal screen separator. The effectiveness of the separator is improved, in turn, by preceding it in the direction of liquid flow by a corrugated plate interceptor to remove greases and oils. Preferably, fine mesh screening is carried out by two separate screening devices, one being a high liquid volume centrifugal screen strainer, and the other being a mechanically self-cleaned low liquid volume device. Wastewater is delivered to a thickener, preferably a corrugated plate separator, the thickened product being delivered to the low liquid volume device, and the supernatant being delivered to the centrifugal screen strainer. The corrugated plate interceptor not only acts as a thickener, but also eliminates grease and oil, which would interfere with the operation of the centrifugal screen strainer.

Abstract: Improved clarity in treated wastewater is achieved by adding a flocculating agent following screening by fine mesh screening means, preferably a centrifugal screen separator. The effectiveness of the separator is improved, in turn, by preceding it in the direction of liquid flow by a corrugated plate interceptor to remove greases and oils. Preferably, fine mesh screening is carried out by two separate screening devices, one being a high liquid volume centrifugal screen strainer, and the other being a mechanically self-cleaned low liquid volume device. Wastewater is delivered to a thickener, preferably a corrugated plate separator, the thickened product being delivered to the low liquid volume device, and the supernatant being delivered to the centrifugal screen strainer. The corrugated plate interceptor not only acts as a thickener, but also eliminates grease and oil, which would interfere with the operation of the centrifugal screen strainer.

Abstract: Improved clarity in treated wastewater is achieved by adding a flocculating agent following screening by fine mesh screening means, preferably a centrifugal screen separator. The effectiveness of the separator is improved, in turn, by preceding it in the direction of liquid flow by a corrugated plate interceptor to remove greases and oils. Preferably, fine mesh screening is carried out by two separate screening devices, one being a high liquid volume centrifugal screen strainer, and the other being a mechanically self-cleaned low liquid volume device. Wastewater is delivered to a thickener, preferably a corrugated plate separator, the thickened product being delivered to the low liquid volume device, and the supernatant being delivered to the centrifugal screen strainer. The corrugated plate interceptor not only acts as a thickener, but also eliminates grease and oil, which would interfere with the operation of the centrifugal screen strainer.

Abstract: An improved electrode assembly for use in electrolytic flotation for wastewater treatment comprises a series of overlying layers of foraminous mesh arranged in substantially horizontal planes, wherein electrically conductive mesh layers constituting the anode and cathode are maintained in closely spaced relationship with each other, but are prevented from coming into direct contact with each other by one or more insulating mesh layers.