Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the destruction of chemical weapons. In particular, the present invention relates to methods for treating hydrolysates of chemical agents. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method comprising oxidizing a hydrolysate of a chemical agent to produce an aqueous layer and an organic layer, the aqueous layer comprising an organophosphorus concentration and the organic layer comprising an organosulfur concentration, and separating the organic layer from the aqueous layer.

Abstract: A containment enclosure system at least a portion of which is double-walled. An exemplary system of the invention provides enhanced leak protection by monitoring the space within the double-walled portion of the containment enclosure system. The system is capable of providing continuous monitoring of the enclosure, collar, penetrations, and/or joints for potential leaks. Containment enclosures of the invention may be used as, used with, or attached to tanks, piping, dispensers, or any other type of storage container including vessels, boxes, sphere or containers of any shape. These containment enclosures may be underground, partially underground, or aboveground. In addition, these containment enclosures may be completely enclosed or enclosed on the bottom and sides with an open or covered top. Where these containment enclosures are attached to a storage tank or other storage container, embodiments also include the associated apparatus for affixing the enclosures to the storage tank or other storage container.

Abstract: A multi-purpose laminate beam for providing structural support to a spacecraft and to contain a pressurized gas, or pressure vessel. The inside of the beam has a metal layer that is over wrapped with at least one laminae. Disposed within the beam is a pair of dividers that allow for a pressurized volume or a least one pressure vessel. There is an access port through the beam for accessing the pressure vessel. The composite nature of the beam allows the beam to be relatively lightweight, but strong enough to support a load. By having the pressure vessel inside the beam, space is optimized. Furthermore the beam provides a measure of protection for the pressure vessel and any inhabitants of the spacecraft should the pressure vessel leak or explode.

Abstract: A containment enclosure system at least a portion of which is double-walled. An exemplary system of the invention provides enhanced leak protection by monitoring the space within the double-walled portion of the containment enclosure system. The system is capable of providing continuous monitoring of the enclosure, collar, penetrations, and/or joints for potential leaks. Containment enclosures of the invention may be used as, used with, or attached to tanks, piping, dispensers, or any other type of storage container including vessels, boxes, sphere or containers of any shape. These containment enclosures may be underground, partially underground, or aboveground. In addition, these containment enclosures may be completely enclosed or enclosed on the bottom and sides with an open or covered top. Where these containment enclosures are attached to a storage tank or other storage container, embodiments also include the associated apparatus for affixing the enclosures to the storage tank or other storage container.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing the shop time of a vehicle, e.g., a locomotive, at a maintenance facility by obtaining onboard systems parameter data during a period when the vehicle is inbound to the maintenance facility for required periodic scheduled maintenance, and by determining, at the maintenance facility and prior to arrival of the vehicle at the maintenance facility, from the data received from the inbound vehicle, whether any of the data is out of a predetermined range or is trending to be out of range.

Abstract: A containment enclosure system at least a portion of which is double-walled. An exemplary system of the invention provides enhanced leak protection by monitoring the space within the double-walled portion of the containment enclosure system. The system is capable of providing continuous monitoring of the enclosure, collar, penetrations, and/or joints for potential leaks. Containment enclosures of the invention may be used as, used with, or attached to tanks, piping, dispensers, or any other type of storage container including vessels, boxes, spheres or containers of any shape. These containment enclosures may be underground, partially underground, or aboveground. In addition, these containment enclosures may be completely enclosed or enclosed on the bottom and sides with an open or covered top.

Abstract: A containment enclosure system at least a portion of which is double-walled. An exemplary system of the invention provides enhanced leak protection by monitoring the space within the double-walled portion of the containment enclosure system. The system is capable of providing continuous monitoring of the enclosure, collar, penetrations, and/or joints for potential leaks. Containment enclosures of the invention may be used as, used with, or attached to tanks, piping, dispensers, or any other type of storage container including vessels, boxes, spheres or containers of any shape. These containment enclosures may be underground, partially underground, or aboveground. In addition, these containment enclosures may be completely enclosed or enclosed on the bottom and sides with an open or covered top.

Abstract: A model seismic image of a subsurface seismic reflector is constructed, wherein a set of source and receiver pairs is located, and a subsurface velocity function is determined. Specular reflection points are determined on the subsurface seismic reflector for each of the source and receiver pairs. A Fresnel zone is determined on the subsurface seismic reflector for each of the specular reflection points, using the subsurface velocity function. One or more seismic wavelets are selected and a set of image points is defined containing the subsurface seismic reflector. A synthetic seismic amplitude is determined for each of the image points by summing the Fresnel zone synthetic seismic amplitude for all of the Fresnel zones that contain the image point, using the seismic wavelets. The model seismic image of the subsurface seismic reflector is constructed, using the synthetic seismic amplitudes at the image points.

Abstract: A fiberglass manhole adjustment ring comprising a fiberglass pipe and a self-centering lip attached to the edge of the pipe, and a method for installing the fiberglass manhole adjustment ring in an existing fiberglass manhole. The self-centering lip can either be attached to the interior edge of the pipe to form a sleeve or to the exterior edge of the pipe to form a collar. An interior self-centering lip, or sleeve, slides into an adjoining fiberglass manhole section while an exterior self-centering lip, or collar, slides over an adjoining manhole section. The manhole adjustment ring is inserted between the cone section and barrel section of an existing fiberglass manhole to accommodate changes in elevation of the surrounding grade level. The self-centering lip may also be used on manhole sections to enable field assembly of a manhole.

Abstract: A fiberglass manhole adjustment ring comprising a fiberglass pipe and a self-centering lip attached to the edge of the pipe, and a method for installing the fiberglass manhole adjustment ring in an existing fiberglass manhole. The self-centering lip can either be attached to the interior edge of the pipe to form a sleeve or to the exterior edge of the pipe to form a collar. An interior self-centering lip, or sleeve, slides into an adjoining fiberglass manhole section while an exterior self-centering lip, or collar, slides over an adjoining manhole section. The manhole adjustment ring is inserted between the cone section and barrel section of an existing fiberglass manhole to accommodate changes in elevation of the surrounding grade level. The self-centering lip may also be used on manhole sections to enable field assembly of a manhole.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods of processing seismic data are subjected to quantitative evaluation by a computerized testing procedure. The effect of the data processing software under evaluation on attributes of the seismic data is measured and statistically evaluated. The effect of various user-selectable processing parameters of the software under evaluation is also measured and statistically evaluated. To evaluate the software effect on attributes, an attribute of known content represented by seismic data is selected. The seismic data represented by that attribute is processed by the processing software under evaluation. A test measure of the attribute is recomputed as indicated by the results of the processing. A quantitative statistical analysis of the similarities of the two attributes is then performed. For quality control of parameter estimates, a parameter-sweep test is performed on original data containing known events.

Abstract: A method of processing seismic data on parallel processors, preferably on a massively parallel processor. The input ot the process is seismic data from one or more of a number of seismic lines. The end product of the invention is a DMO corrected, zero-offset seismic image of the subsurface. By repeating the method on different input offsets, the variation in reflection strength of a reflector as a function of the angle of incidence can be examined. The method includes a two stage parallelization. First, a parallelization over the incoming traces generates a suite of DMO-corrected partial images for each point on each incoming trace. Secondly, a parallelization over output locations accumulates and combines the partial images, and produces output traces.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods of processing seismic data for the purpose of suppression of multiple reflections, or multiples, are subjected to quantitative evaluation. The evaluation is done by a computerized testing procedure. A known earth model is formed. From this model, data composed of primary reflections only, and data containing multiple reflections only are generated. These are retained separately, but a third data set representing their sum is also formed to serve as an original data set for processing. The original data set or sum is then processed by the processing method being evaluated. The processed results are then decomposed by a time-varying, least squares technique into primaries-only and multiples-only components. The decomposed primaries-only and multiples-only components so formed are then compared against the values of the original sets from the known earth model.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a retrofit underground storage tank (30) and method for making the same. A portion of an underground primary tank (32) its uncovered and an access opening (42) in formed therein. A plurality of trifolds (50, 120, 122, and 124) comprising three folded up and banded together panels (52, 54, 56) which are jointed together by hinges are inserted into the primary tank. A monorail or conveyor (90) is inserted into and suspended from above the primary tank (32). Trolleys (102, 104) on the monorail (90) assist in transporting the trifolds (50, 120, 122 and 124) within the primary tank (32) and then the monorail (90) is removed. Trifolds (50, 120, 122 and 124) are unbanded and unfolded and are arranged circumferentially about the tank. Jack stands are used to hold panels of the trifolds in place.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods of processing and imaging seismic data by migration and DMO (dip moveout) are subjected to quantitative evaluation. The evaluation is done by a computerized testing procedure. An impulse data set is formed containing a single "live" trace and zero amplitudes for other traces. A selected velocity function is also generated. The impulse data set is then processed by the processing method being evaluated. Estimates of the vertical traveltime, amplitude and phase along each of the impulse-response events are then generated. The estimates so formed are compared against exact values obtained from a model using an integral equation which accurately describes migration or DMO. Users thus are provided with indications of how the processing techniques may be expected to perform on real data.

Abstract: An apparatus for tightening strap members comprises a buckle member having a first means for attachment to a strap and a second means for attachment to a strap. A plurality of longitudinally spaced apart pin-receiving boreholes are provided on slidably related sections of the buckle member such that the boreholes in one section have a vernier relationship with the boreholes in another section, thus permitting a boreholes to come into alignment as the sections are slid past each other at an adjustment increment which is less than the spacing between the boreholes on either section. A method is also provided for using the assembly to tightening a strap.

Abstract: An apparatus formed from a base member and a plurality of bolts is used to position the bolts on a flange. The base member is preferably arcuately shaped and has a first end and a second end. The arcuate base member defines a plane and is hand bendable in the plane. The base member has a longitudinal axis normal to the plane and a radius of curvature with respect to the longitudinal axis. A plurality of bolts are mounted to the arcuate base member. Each bolt of the plurality of bolts extends generally longitudinally from the arcuate base member. The device is useful for mounting items to a flange. A multiplicity of boreholes extend through the flange in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubular member from the back face to the front face. Each borehole is defined by a borehole wall. The bolts are retained in frictional engagement with the borehole walls due to tension from the arcuate base member.

Abstract: A method of geophysical prospecting wherein nonhyperbolic distortion is reduced from marine seismic data, or land seismic data over a low seismic velocity layer, is disclosed. The method comprises replacing the seismic velocity of the water or low seismic velocity layer with sediment seismic velocity and using analytic ray tracing to determine a mapping function to correct recorded seismic data for removal of the distortion, which occurs because of the high seismic velocity contrast at the water or low seismic velocity layer.

Abstract: Presented is a process for use in the area of geophysical data processing, for computing a three dimensional grid of traveltimes from a three dimensional grid of velocities. The process involves a finite-difference solution to the eikonal equation in spherical coordinates, with refinements which increase the stability of the calculation and cope with numerical roundoff error as well as turned ray problems. The resulting three dimensional grid is not only useful in itself in providing information regarding the subsurface, but also can be used in depth migration, velocity analysis (especially three dimensional tomography) and in raytracing (leading to modeling of synthetic seismograms, three dimensional traveltime inversion, and map migration). This method is preferably executed on a computer, and can be performed either on a mainframe or on a massively parallel processor.

Abstract: A method for correcting seismic data for the effects of the low-velocity-layer. According to the method, estimates of the seismic velocity in the low-velocity-layer and the depth of the low-velocity-layer are used to extrapolate the seismic data to simulated source and receiver positions located at the base of the low-velocity-layer. The data are then extrapolated to an arbitrary reference datum using a selected replacement velocity. The principles of wave equation datuming are used for these extrapolations.