Abstract: A bioproduct manufacturing system is disclosed. The system comprises a hollow-fiber primary membrane gas absorber comprising a shell side and a lumen, wherein the primary membrane gas absorber is configured to receive a carbonate salt-based solvent on the shell side and a gas mixture comprising oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide in the lumen, at least one runway algal cassette reactor-photobioreactor, and a growth medium circulating between the primary membrane gas absorber and the at least one runway algal cassette reactor-photobioreactor. The at least one runway algal cassette reactor-photobioreactor comprises at least one growth chamber coupled to and in fluid communication with a headspace channel so as to define and interior volume, a first condenser coupled to and in fluid communication with the headspace channel, and a harvest line in fluid communication with the at least one growth chamber and coupled to a filter.

Abstract: A method reclaims metalized polymer film or mixtures containing metal and/or metal alloys into a metal-containing, polymeric film. The resulting film structure has better oxygen and moisture barrier properties when metalized than plain metalized polymer films. The polymer to be reclaimed, originates in sheet form, and is densified, as by shredding, pelletizing and/or re-extruding into fine particulate form such as chips or pellets. The reclaimed polymeric film can be used, in a range of concentrations, to produce biaxially oriented polyester film for metalizing.

Abstract: The method and systems efficiently extract recyclable materials from a mixed solid waste stream. The methods and systems use sizing, density and dimensional separation to produce intermediate waste streams that are enriched in particular recyclable materials. The recyclable materials can then be efficiently sorted from the individual intermediate streams using mechanized sorting equipment.

Abstract: In a facility and a method for separating glass residues from PVB-film, comminuted material is passed through several process steps, where treating with beaters (12) in a chamber (2) is effected in one of the first steps. At the discharge end (18) of the chamber there is arranged a separation, as heavy particular material can be discharged through a perforated bottom section (19) in the chamber (2). Through an air inlet (22) at the side (15) of the chamber, air is drawn in induced by a ventilator-like impeller rotor (28) drawing air in through a central opening (26) spaced apart from the bottom section (19). Thereby, light film-like materials are carried away from the heavy particles.

Abstract: Clean glass particles are produced from post-consumer mixed glass and like waste streams by a series of pulverizing, size- and material-based separation, ozonation, drying, sizing, and paper fluff removal steps.

Abstract: A clean dry glass powder useful as a substitute for Portland cement in concrete, in paints, and for other known uses for glass powder produced conventionally can be produced from unsorted post-consumer waste glass, including a substantial fraction of non-glass items, by employing glass pulverizing equipment to reduce waste glass to small fragments, allowing removal of trash, employing a multistep washing process to clean the glass fragments, in the preferred embodiment using aggregate cleaning equipment, drying the fragments, preferably using fluidized bed techniques, and grinding the glass to a desired particle size, preferably using a ball mill, in combination with an air classification step to produce a glass powder of uniform particle size.

Abstract: In a facility and a method for separating glass residues from PVB-film, comminuted material is passed through several process steps, where treating with beaters (12) in a chamber (2) is effected in one of the first steps. At the discharge end (18) of the chamber there is arranged a separation, as heavy particular material can be discharged through a perforated bottom section (19) in the chamber (2). Through an air inlet (22) at the side (15) of the chamber, air is drawn in induced by a ventilator-like impeller rotor (28) drawing air in through a central opening (26) spaced apart from the bottom section (19). Thereby, light film-like materials are carried away from the heavy particles.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a quantity of cullet having at least two colors of glass from an input stream of recyclable material and non-recyclable material. In an embodiment, the system includes a sortation station, a screening apparatus, an air classifier, and a crushing apparatus to provide as output substantially pure cullet having at least two colors.

Abstract: Glass cullet such as recycled municipal waste is processed to substantially eliminate contaminants including light weight paper and polymer, ferrous and nonferrous metal and also ceramics, pyroceramics, tempered glass, stones and assorted silicates that have properties approximating those of glass. In a series of washing and sorting steps, different mechanical, chemical, electromagnetic, and thermal processes cause distinct materials in the cutlet to react differently, whereupon the contaminants are selectively removed and the glass is processed on. The cullet is crushed; ferrous and nonferrous metals are detected and diverted, a screening station sizes cullet particles and routes larger sizes back for additional crushing. An air blower entrains and removes light fractions and dust. A wash station entrains and removes dirt and soluble material. In a flow of sized particles, further metal and ceramic (non-glass silica) detection devices divert portions of the flow sensed to contain non-glass materials.

Abstract: A method for producing glass sands including the steps of crushing glass articles to convert them into fine fragments so as to form glass fragments, then agitating finely crushed glass fragments to eliminate sharp portions while at the same time forming glass fragments into glass sands with a predetermined granular configuration, then sieving foreign materials which have been entrapped into glass sands formed in a granular configuration, while at the same time sorting out glass sands according to their grain sizes.

Abstract: Glass sands are produced by a method which comprises the steps of crushing glass articles to convert them into fine fragments so as to form glass fragments, then agitating finely crushed glass fragments to eliminate sharp portions while at the same time forming glass fragments into glass sands with a predetermined granular configuration, then sieving foreign materials which have been entrapped into glass sands formed in a granular configuration, while at the same time sorting out glass sands according to their grain sizes.

Abstract: A bottle decasing, breaking and separating system and method has a hopper feeder for receiving bottles and cases. The bottles and cases are supplied to a trommel by a conveyor beneath the feeder. A conveyor communicating with the trommel receives the separated and fragmented material. A chute connected to the conveyor transports the fragmented material. Lifting tubes in the trommel are for lifting, tipping and tumbling the cases and the bottles in the trommel when it rotates. Strong screens in the trommel fragment and remove the bottles tumbling in the trommel. The cases remain at upper levels above the fragmented material in the trommel. The trommel may be a drum which slopes downward and rearward from the forward to the rearward ends. A trough below the trommel receives the fragmented material from the trommel and supplies the material to a conveyor. An extension communicating with the conveyor for supplies the fragmented material from the conveyor to recycling bins.

Abstract: An apparatus for economically handling mercury containing lamps in an efficient manner while protecting the environment against release of mercury vapors into the atmosphere. The apparatus includes a mobile vehicle which is transportable to a facility or site where the mercury containing lamps to be destroyed are located, a mechanism mounted within an enclosure on the mobile vehicle for receiving and destroying the mercury containing lamps therewithin, and an apparatus for sensing mercury vapor levels within the enclosure of the vehicle.

Abstract: A recycling process for garbage containing a high proportion of paper where printed paper is first separated from the garbage. The garbage is then into pieces and light and heavy components are separated out in a classification tank. The remaining organic mass suspended in water is hydrolyzed and subjected to anaerobic digestion followed by aerobic co-composting. The resulting solid is a high grade fertilizer while biogas produced by the process is converted to electrical energy in a combined cycle installation.

Abstract: Clean glass particles are produced from post-consumer mixed glass and like waste streams by a series of pulverizing, size- and material-based separation, ozonation, drying, sizing, and paper fluff removal steps.