With Treatment Of Waste Patents (Class 405/129.2)
  • Patent number: 11873703
    Abstract: A method of underground storage of an injection gas containing CO2 gas and enhanced oil recovery includes: supplying injection water through a water flow path; jetting the injection water as a high-pressure water jet which is increased in velocity by narrowing a fluid flow through a fine bubble-generating device placed at a lower end of the water flow path; suctioning an injection gas through a gas flow path by a negative pressure generated by the Venturi effect downstream of the high-pressure water jet; jetting the injection gas as fine bubbles from the fine bubble-generating device placed at a lower end of the gas flow path; and performing underground storage of the injection gas by allowing a gas-liquid mixed fluid containing fine bubbles generated by mixing the injection water with the fine bubbles in the fine bubble-generating device to penetrate into a permeable formation such as an oil reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: JAPAN PETROLEUM EXPLORATION CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Terao, Kazuto Kurosawa
  • Patent number: 10399130
    Abstract: A method for installing an in situ, low-permeability temporary horizontal barrier at depth for vertical containment of a soil mass including installing a low permeability vertical barrier having walls located to contain a predetermined soil volume, the vertical barrier having a horizontal surface area in a plane perpendicular to its walls; and injecting low permeability reagents capable of forming a temporary horizontal barrier in a pattern suitable for creating a horizontal subsurface barrier joined to all of the vertical barrier walls to form an in situ barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignees: ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS ON BEHALF OF ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY, CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Rolf U. Halden, Edward Kavazanjian, Alizee M. Jenck, Nasser Hamdan, Thomas Hoelen
  • Patent number: 10155255
    Abstract: A method for storing hazardous materials within a pile by installing a drill casing a perforated casing section into a well installed in the pile, inserting a pipe or hose having an opening into the drill casing, aligning the opening of the pipe or hose with at least one perforated casing section, sealing the drill casing to isolate air or fluid flowing into or out of the drill casing so that the air or fluid only flows into or out of the drill casing through the at least one perforated casing section, pulling or pushing air or fluid through the pipe or hose at a pressure sufficient to open void spaces within the pile, and injecting hazardous materials through the pipe or hose at pressure sufficient to cause the hazardous materials to fill the void spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: DIFFERENTIAL ENGINEERING INC.
    Inventor: Thomas Joseph Seal
  • Patent number: 8985902
    Abstract: A system for treating an excavation activity includes a distribution network in fluid communication with the excavation activity. A foaming agent and a reagent are supplied to the distribution network to form a reagent-foam mixture. The reagent is selected to react with at least one of sulfides, bacteria, or heavy metals or to coat particulate materials. A method for treating an excavation activity includes flowing a foam through a distribution network in fluid communication with the excavation activity and selecting a reagent to react with at least one of sulfides, bacteria, or heavy metals or to coat particulate materials. The method fluffier includes mixing the reagent with the foam flowing through the distribution network to form a reagent-foam mixture and dispersing the foam-reagent mixture over at least a portion of the excavation deposit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Golder Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Gusek, Brian P. Masloff, John C. Fodor
  • Publication number: 20150041413
    Abstract: A method of injecting fluid into an injection well comprises receiving, by an input device, an input, verifying an authorization to use a filter assembly in response to receiving the input, opening an actuator valve in response to the verifying, actuating a pump in fluid communication with the actuator valve in response to the verifying, receiving a fluid within a filter assembly in response to opening the actuator valve and actuating the pump, wherein the fluid comprises suspended solids, and separating at least a portion of the suspended solids in the fluid within the filter assembly. The pump may be disposed downstream of the filter assembly, and receiving fluid within the filter assembly may comprise drawing fluid into the filter assembly in response to actuating the pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventor: Eric Benavides
  • Patent number: 8939676
    Abstract: A system for removing ammonia from landfill leachate comprising an economizer for producing high pressure hot water in a hot water circuit from heat exchange with a hot gas stream carrying waste heat; a boiler which is heated by the high pressure hot water to produce steam; and an ammonia stripper. The ammonia stripper has a leachate inlet connected to a leachate flow path, and an ammonia containing gas outlet. A leachate discharge outlet is connected to a leachate discharge flow path, and a steam inlet is provided which is connected to the boiler by a conduit. At a lower end of the ammonia stripper there is a forced air inlet. A randomly packed bed located between the upper end and the lower end. In use there is a flow of steam and air in one direction and of leachate in the opposite direction which releases ammonia from the leachate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Process Limited
    Inventors: Robert Eden, Mark Moulden
  • Patent number: 8864413
    Abstract: A gas and liquid extraction system and method to efficiently capture the gas generated from the decomposition of organic matter, generally referred herein as the biomass, present in a landfill is disclosed herein. The system and method taking in account the presence of high amount of water and proposing landfilling methodology to allow the efficient capture of an as high as possible amount of gas from each and every ton of biomass contained in the landfill which is heterogeneous, anisotropic in nature and unsteady in term of fluid flow behavior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Inventor: Marc-Antoine Pelletier
  • Publication number: 20140186119
    Abstract: A method is provided for sequestration of a greenhouse gas in a water-laden formation by injection of a fluid comprising greenhouse gas (GHG) into a formation under conditions suitable for generating an unstable front of said greenhouse gas within the formation. The injection may comprise a first stage wherein a gas phase comprising CO2 is injected into the formation, followed by a second stage comprising injecting an aqueous liquid into the formation, to thereby generate an unstable front within the formation that results in relatively rapid dissolution of the injected CO2 within the formation water. The cyclic nature of the injection, alternating between GHG and water injection, can be repeated for a number of times until the carrying capacity of the formation is deemed to have been reached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Inventors: Maurice B. Dusseault, Roman Bilak
  • Patent number: 8662791
    Abstract: An alternating anaerobic and aerobic digestion system and method of forming same includes a subterranean enclosure configured to hold organic matter. The enclosure has a plurality of conduits in a bottom surface of the enclosure. The digestion system further includes an irrigation system configured to dispense a liquid from a top portion of the enclosure and to recover a percolated liquid from a bottom portion of the enclosure, a ventilation system configured to provide air flow to the bottom portion of the enclosure, and a gas-tight membrane cover configured to cover the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Impact Bidenergy LLC
    Inventors: Jan Allen, Thomas Kraemer
  • Publication number: 20140056646
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel method of retrieving gas from a gas-containing subterranean formation, the method including digging a mine shaft to reach the subterranean formation; constructing a ventilated underground control center wherein the center includes a computerized control panel, wherein the computerized control panel controls the movements of a hot head device such as a plasma torch, an electro-chemical apparatus, a hydrogenating solvent or heated ceramic particles; a hollow drill pipe; a movable hydraulic shield; a movable resin roof bolting machine; and a movable waste extrusion device; providing mining personnel to the ventilated underground control center; and allowing the mining personnel to operate the computerized control panel wherein they perform the tasks of moving the hot head device into the subterranean formation, recovering the gas, and extruding waste material into a mined-out space of the subterranean formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Inventors: George Anthony Aulisio, Leander Francis Aulisio
  • Patent number: 8641322
    Abstract: A system and process for disposal of dry fly ash that effectively confines and damps fugitive dust during the collection, sorting, transporting, storage and treatment of fly ash at a landfill. The system and process for disposal of dry fly ash utilizing an enlarged, oversized hopper positioned at the top of a hill and an elongate channel that runs between the enlarged hopper and the landfill. A bulk transport truck hauling a belly dump trailer dumps dry fly ash through an elevated platform having a centrally aligned orifice into the oversized hopper having a slurry rack and a large hopper grate. The dry fly ash is mixed with water in the enlarged hopper at a ratio of approximately 1:1, after which it flows downstream into the elongate channel and ultimately to the landfill. When the transport truck is positioned above the enlarged hopper, the doors of the belly dump trailer open and contact a substantially upright skirt surrounding the periphery of the orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Inventors: Kevin Jackson, Chad Jackson, Daryl J. Jackson
  • Patent number: 8580114
    Abstract: When a large-scale contaminant plume is located under a surface area with conditions that prevent placement of a network of injection and associated extraction wells, embodiments of the invention may be used to pump a specific volume of the contaminant plume to at least one remote in-situ treatment cell, comprising at least one injection well surrounded by a plurality of associated extraction wells, where each extraction well is less than 300 feet from the associated injection well, and has a treatment zone with treatment reagent between injection and associated extraction wells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Kleinfelder West, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward Kenneth Tyler
  • Patent number: 8529155
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for making pure salt comprises recapturing post-drilling flowback water from hydro-fracturing; removing oil from the flowback water; filtering the flowback water using an ultra filter with a pore size of about 0.1 microns or less to remove solid particulates and large organic molecules, such as benzene, ethylbenzene, toluene, and xylene, from the water; concentrating the flowback water to produce a brine that contains from about 15 wt % to about 40 wt % of salt relative to the total weight of the flowback brine; performing one or more chemical precipitation process using an effective amount of reagents to precipitate out the desired high quality commercial products, such as, barium sulfate, strontium carbonate, calcium carbonate; and crystallizing the chemically treated and concentrated flowback brine to produce greater than 99.5% pure salt products, such as sodium and calcium chloride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: FracPure Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Frank A. DiTommaso, Peter N. DiTommaso
  • Patent number: 8383021
    Abstract: Materials and methods of synthesizing mixed-layered bismuth oxy-iodine materials, which can be synthesized in the presence of aqueous radioactive iodine species found in caustic solutions (e.g. NaOH or KOH). This technology provides a one-step process for both iodine sequestration and storage from nuclear fuel cycles. It results in materials that will be durable for repository conditions much like those found in Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) and estimated for Yucca Mountain (YMP). By controlled reactant concentrations, optimized compositions of these mixed-layered bismuth oxy-iodine inorganic materials are produced that have both a high iodine weight percentage and a low solubility in groundwater environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: James L. Krumhansl, Tina M. Nenoff
  • Patent number: 8287625
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems and methods for treating landfill gas using landfill leachate. In one embodiment of the present invention, a method includes receiving landfill leachate from at least one of a plurality of sources, and pretreating the landfill leachate to adjust at least one chemical property of at least one component of the landfill leachate. The leachate contacts landfill gas, so that at least one component of the landfill gas chemically reacts with at least one component of the landfill leachate to form a spent landfill leachate and a treated landfill gas. The method also includes recycling a first portion of the spent landfill leachate, recirculating a second portion of the spent landfill leachate to at least one of the plurality of sources, and subjecting the treated landfill gas to flare.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Casella Waste Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas R. Casella
  • Patent number: 8262950
    Abstract: Materials and methods of making low-sintering-temperature glass waste forms that sequester radioactive iodine in a strong and durable structure. First, the iodine is captured by an adsorbant, which forms an iodine-loaded material, e.g., AgI, AgI-zeolite, AgI-mordenite, Ag-silica aerogel, ZnI2, CuI, or Bi5O7I. Next, particles of the iodine-loaded material are mixed with powdered frits of low-sintering-temperature glasses (comprising various oxides of Si, B, Bi, Pb, and Zn), and then sintered at a relatively low temperature, ranging from 425° C. to 550° C. The sintering converts the mixed powders into a solid block of a glassy waste form, having low iodine leaching rates. The vitrified glassy waste form can contain as much as 60 wt % AgI. A preferred glass, having a sintering temperature of 500° C. (below the silver iodide sublimation temperature of 500° C.) was identified that contains oxides of boron, bismuth, and zinc, while containing essentially no lead or silicon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Tina M. Nenoff, James L. Krumhansl, Terry J. Garino, Nathan W. Ockwig
  • Patent number: 8206062
    Abstract: A method for in-situ reduction of contaminants in soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: VeruTEK Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: George E. Hoag, John Collins
  • Publication number: 20120087737
    Abstract: A process is provided for treating produced water recovered from an oil recovery process. An oil-water mixture is collected from an oil bearing formation. The oil-water mixture is directed to a separator that separates the oil-water mixture to yield produced water and an oil product. The produced water includes water, dissolved organics and dissolved inorganic solids. The produced water is directed to a crystallizer. In the crystallizer, the produced water is concentrated by heating the produced water. Concentrating the produced water causes the organic and inorganic solids to precipitate from the produced water and form solid crystals, including salt crystals. Further, concentrating the produced water in the crystallizer produces an organic melt including the solid crystals. Thereafter, the method or process entails cooling the organic melt such that the organic melt solidifies into an organic solid structure, and wherein substantially no free water is present in the organic solid structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicants: Statoil Canada Ltd., HPD, LLC
    Inventors: Keith R. Minnich, David E. Gamache, John Kus
  • Publication number: 20110266207
    Abstract: This invention uses existing technology in a novel way to create a production facility, which can be known as Synergy City, to provide a solution to three problems confronting the United States, and other nations as well: the need for safe, clean, renewable sources of electrical power; the need for adequate supplies of fresh water; and the need to dispose of trash in a responsible manner. A synergistic solution to these problems is presented without the use of nuclear fission, coal or oil. A prototype of Synergy Cities is conceived in which reside scientists, engineers, technicians and their families, and others as necessary to support a viable American city in the state in which it is located. Experience in planning, developing and operating the prototype facility is to be factored into the design and construction of succeeding cities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventor: Harold James Willard, JR.
  • Patent number: 8002050
    Abstract: An onshore oil or gas well is completed with a coiled tubing unit. A completion liquid is circulated through coiled tubing and thereby removing solids from the well. The completion liquid and drilled solids pass into a tank where the solids are removed and the cleansed completion liquid is redelivered into the well. In some embodiments, drilled solids from the completion liquid are dewatered to a suitable extent in the tank and dumped into a bin where they are mixed with cotton motes to sorb any free liquid. In some embodiments, drilled solids from drilling an onshore subterranean well are mixed with cotton motes to sorb free liquid. The mixture of cotton motes and drilled solids are disposed of in a manner consistent with appropriate regulations, as by delivery to a commercial landfill, which may be either privately or municipally owned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Inventor: W. Lynn Frazier
  • Patent number: 7976241
    Abstract: A method for in-situ reduction of contaminants in soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: VeruTEK Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: George E. Hoag, John Collins
  • Patent number: 7955419
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems and methods for treating landfill gas using landfill leachate. In one embodiment of the present invention, a method includes receiving landfill leachate from at least one of a plurality of sources, and pretreating the landfill leachate to adjust at least one chemical property of at least one component of the landfill leachate. The leachate contacts landfill gas, so that at least one component of the landfill gas chemically reacts with at least one component of the landfill leachate to form a spent landfill leachate and a treated landfill gas. The method also includes recycling a first portion of the spent landfill leachate, recirculating a second portion of the spent landfill leachate to at least one of the plurality of sources, and subjecting the treated landfill gas to flare.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Casella Waste Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas R. Casella
  • Publication number: 20100254766
    Abstract: A method of collecting biogas from organic wastes in a landfill includes a branch pipe installation step of installing a waste liquid input branch pipe and a landfill gas extracting branch pipe in the landfill, and installing a leachate extracting branch pipe under the landfill at a certain slopea fitting installation step of connecting an organic waste pretreatment device, the waste liquid input branch pipe, a landfill gas collecting pipe and the landfill gas extracting branch pipe a pretreatment step of mixing organic wastes with leachate generated from the landfill to produce a waste liquida waste liquid input step of dividing the waste liquid input branch pipe into some regions and progressively inputting and pressing the waste liquid mixed in the pretreatment step and a gas extraction step of extracting and collecting a generated landfill gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: Q-Bio Tech Corp
    Inventors: Hung-Suck Park, Jung-Hoon Kim, Jae-Won Lee, Won-Sik Lee, Yong-Seok Park
  • Patent number: 7798218
    Abstract: A method of treating particulate hard materials driven to the surface of a well in a returning well flow in connection with a producing well or well stimulation operations in the petroleum production industry, the method including fragmentation of the hard particles by means of a crushing device, whereupon the fragmented hard particles are turned into a slurry which is then re-injected into an injection well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Environmental Technology AS
    Inventors: Johannes B. Garstad, Helge Stridsklev, Sven Egil Tjørhom
  • Patent number: 7604710
    Abstract: A floating water evaporation system for use in disposing of excess water from oil and gas drilling operations is provided. One or more nozzle arrays float on the surface of a wastewater pond a distance away from the pond shoreline. Each nozzle array includes a series of upright risers that extend above a water reservoir tank. Spray nozzles are mounted on each riser. The water reservoir tank is mounted between floating pontoons that elevate the nozzles a distance above the surface of the pond. Water from the pond is pumped through the nozzles to create a patterned spray of small evaporable droplets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: EvapoRite Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David J Haslem, Michael E. Dofelmire, Darrin N. Haslem, Michael T. Lawing
  • Publication number: 20090202304
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system for treating carbon dioxide, and a method by which such treated carbon dioxide can be stored underground at low cost and with high efficiency. The present invention' method for storing carbon dioxide underground includes: a step for pumping up to the ground groundwater from a pumping well in a deep aquifer, and then producing injection water. Carbon dioxide that has been separated and recovered from exhaust gas from a plant facility is changed into the bubbles. The bubbles are mixed with the injection water, and hereby produces a gas-liquid mixture a step for injecting into. The deep aquifer is injected into the gas-liquid mixture from the injection well. The method preferably further includes a step for dissolving a cation-forming material in the injection water, and a step for injecting the injection water, in which the cation-forming material is dissolved, into the deep acquifer at its top and above the place at which injection water has already been injected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicants: Hitoshi Kode, Mizuho Information & Research Institute Inc.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Koide, Junji Shinoda
  • Publication number: 20090148238
    Abstract: A method for reclaiming hydraulically dredged material from a dredge reclamation area (DRA) having particular application for reclaiming hydraulically dredged virgin/new cut earthen material. The method involves the construction of training dikes and weirs in the DRA for draining water from saturated silts within the DRA and drying clay in the DRA in either a separate processing area or within the confines of the DRA by windrowing and by mechanical manipulation of the clay. The silts are then dried in the same way and mixed with the dried clay, either in a separate processing area or within the DRA. The resulting reclaimed material can meet industry standard density tests of 95% standard Proctor along with removing the moisture content to a 2%± of optimum moisture or better for use as structural or regular fill.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventor: Troy A. Smith
  • Publication number: 20080317553
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for recycling of synthetic material containing waste. In the process initially in a first step the synthetic material containing waste is crushed to a particle diameter ?100 mm and then admixed as aggregate in a soil material, in particular in a silt containing soil for the earthworks. The portion of the synthetic material containing waste admixed in the second step is preferably 15 percent by volume to 70 percent by volume. The resulting soil material is in many aspects excellently suited for the earthworks and in particular, for the recultivation or the protection of problematic landfill areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Jost-Ulrich Kugler, Peter Belouschek, Katja Kugler
  • Publication number: 20080310921
    Abstract: A method for obtaining a woodland substrate from the complete recycling of the materials recovered from treatment of urban solid waste is disclosed. The woodland substrate obtained by the process is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventor: Manlio Cerroni
  • Publication number: 20080131207
    Abstract: A fluid injection and removal system to inject or remove fluids from a landfill or contaminated area. The system allows for treatment of waste in the landfill or the contaminated area. The fluid injection and removal system includes a permeable layer and at least one perforated pipe. The permeable layer enables essentially uniform distribution of the fluid into the underlying waste or contaminated area. The fluid injection and removal system can be combined with a leachate collection system to create a leachate recirculation system for use in a landfill. The leachate collection system includes at least one perforated collection pipe embedded in a drainage layer. Sensors can be provided in the permeable layer to enable the change in the physical characteristics of the waste adjacent the permeable layer to be monitored.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
    Inventor: Milind V. Khire
  • Patent number: 7374367
    Abstract: A leaching-stabilized heavy metal-contaminated matrix can be stored in a subsurface saturated zone by contacting the matrix with an amount of an agent for increasing acid-neutralization capacity sufficient to provide the stored matrix a preselected permanence level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: RMT, Inc.
    Inventor: Ajit K. Chowdhury
  • Patent number: 7364387
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for accelerating the decomposition of biogenic organic matter in refuse disposal sites. According to the method, at least one suction line is inserted into a disposal site debris heap (11) via which the arising refuse site gases are removed by suction. According to the invention, the quantity of gas removed by suction in the area of the bottom of the refuse disposal site should be greater than the quantity of gas arising in this area due to decomposition whereby enabling oxygen from the outside air to penetrate into the debris heap and transforming the decomposition process into an, at least to a large extent, aerobic decomposition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignees: A3-Abfall-Abwasser-Anlagentechnik GmbH, Stadtreninigung Hamburg
    Inventors: Jürgen Kanitz, Jürgen Forsting
  • Publication number: 20080085160
    Abstract: A soil substitute material is configured with ground construction and demolition (C&D) waste materials suitable for use in grading or construction projects in industrial, commercial, and after conducting specific preparation steps is useful in selective residential settings, road and highway grading, backfill and cap materials at environmental sites, alternative daily cover at landfills, rough grading for roadbeds and constructing athletic fields, and landfill construction and operation as a stabilized and compactable construction material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Inventor: JAMES W. TAYLOR
  • Patent number: 7140805
    Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to a method of treating municipal solid waste which includes landfilling a volume of solid waste, a substantial portion of which has been exposed to the atmosphere, adding moisture to the solid waste, compacting the moistened solid waste, and applying a daily covering material to the compacted solid waste. Alternatively, the method can be performed by adding moisture to the waste prior to landfilling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Inventors: Dennis A. Fagan, Paul E. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 7056062
    Abstract: A method for using large chambers, located deep within the earth, for the disposal of processed waste is disclosed. In this context, waste includes solid waste from sewage, and other organic-waste materials from urban, agricultural or industrial sources. These wastes will be processed by mechanical pulverization and hydration to produce a slurry, which will be injected into the well's chamber. The anaerobic condition in the chamber will be conducive to the production of gases, especially methane which will be harvested as a source of industrial fuel. Hydrogen, ammonia and other gases will also be harvested. This system will alleviate the acute problem of disposal of wastes from urban agricultural and industrial sources. It will decrease pollution of the air with greenhouse gases and pollution of the land area water with organic wastes and also release of disease-causing pathogens. The system may be adapted to facilitate the disposal of nuclear wastes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Inventors: Richard T. Takeuchi, Robert M. Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6923914
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for remediating metal contaminants using hydrocarbons which stimulate the growth of hydrocarbon-utilizing bacteria. The metal contaminants may include heavy metals such as arsenic, antimony, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, mercury, iron, manganese, magnesium, radium, nickel, selenium, silver, thallium and zinc. The hydrocarbon may include alkanes, alkenes, Aalkynes, poly(alkene)s, poly(alkyne)s, aromatic hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbon polymers and aliphatic hydrocarbons. Butane is a particularly suitable hydrocarbon which stimulates the growth of butane-utilizing bacteria. Remediation may occur in-situ or ex-situ, and may occur under aerobic, anaerobic or dual aerobic/anaerobic conditions. Examples of applications include the remediation of heavy metals, the remediation of arsenic impacted surface water, groundwater and/or soil, the remediation of acid mine drainage, and the treatment of spent metal plating solutions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Global Biosciences, Inc.
    Inventor: Felix Anthony Perriello
  • Patent number: 6910829
    Abstract: Processes and methods relating to treating contaminants and collecting desired substances from a zone of interest using subterranean collection and containment barriers. Tubular casings having interlock structures are used to create subterranean barriers for containing and treating buried waste and its effluents. The subterranean barrier includes an effluent collection system. Treatment solutions provided to the zone of interest pass therethrough and are collected by the barrier and treated or recovered, allowing on-site remediation. Barrier components may be used to in the treatment by collecting or removing contaminants or other materials from the zone of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC
    Inventors: Reva A. Nickelson, Stephanie Walsh, John G. Richardson, John R. Dick, Paul A. Sloan
  • Patent number: 6878281
    Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for rejuvenating a wastewater treatment system of the type including a septic tank, an aerobic treatment unit or the like connected by a pipe to a plugged downstream soil absorption system includes a wastewater treatment unit which is interposed between the septic unit/aerobic treatment unit and the downstream soil absorption system. The wastewater treatment unit includes a single piece or a multiple piece solids settling and retention basin within which is suspendingly supported a wastewater treatment mechanism essentially of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,264,120. The wastewater treatment mechanism includes filters for filtering and settling solids from wastewater and flow equalization ports for effecting flow equalization thereby eliminating flow surges to the downstream plugged soil absorption system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Norwalk Wastewater Equipment Company
    Inventor: Jan D. Graves
  • Publication number: 20040175819
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for accelerating the decomposition of biogenic organic matter in refuse disposal sites. According to the method, at least one suction line is inserted into a disposal site debris heap (11) via which the arising refuse site gases are removed by suction. According to the invention, the quantity of gas removed by suction in the area of the bottom of the refuse disposal site should be greater than the quantity of gas arising in this area due to decomposition whereby enabling oxygen from the outside air to penetrate into the debris heap and transforming the decomposition process into an, at least to a large extent, aerobic decomposition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventors: Jurgen Kanitz, Jurgen Forsting
  • Publication number: 20040131424
    Abstract: A system and method for extracting metals from material deposited in a landfill include applying a leaching solution to the material. The leaching solution dissolves various metals it contacts, forming a leachate bearing one or more metals. The metal-bearing leachate is further processed in a solvent extraction (SX) plant to produce a metal-bearing solution. The metal bearing solution undergoes further processing, such as electrowinning (EW), to recover one or more metals from the metal-bearing solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventor: Dan L. Wensel
  • Patent number: 6749368
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling and/or monitoring volatile compounds such as those buried underground. A cover or cover layer is placed over the source of the volatile compounds in the ground. The cover is intentionally made to be relatively gas permeable, to allow movement of volatile compounds upward into the cover. Oxygen is encouraged to be mixed with the volatile compounds in the layer to promote oxidation and degradation of the volatiles. The treated volatile compounds can then be allowed to be emitted from the cover into atmosphere. According to an aspect of the apparatus and method, optionally, a conduit can be placed in the cover to carry and eject oxygen to and into the cover layer. It can also be used to gather in a mixture of volatiles and air (with oxygen) and transport the mixture to a desired location. Still further, another aspect of the invention includes measuring and monitoring the presence and/or amount of a volatile compound in the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Daniel B. Stephens & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark D. Ankeny, James A. Kelsey
  • Publication number: 20040076475
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of processing biodegradable waste material comprising the steps of: (i) placing said waste material in a container, (ii) adding soil containing bacteria to said waste material, (iii) applying liquid to said waste material, and (iv) periodically aerating said waste material, whereby to biodegrade said waste material to a soil material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventor: Stanley Peter Bell
  • Patent number: 6558079
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is used for covering the exposed workface of a landfill with a film. The apparatus includes a compactor rotatably mounted on a frame which is hitched to a tractor. A film, spray and ballast deployer is mounted on the end of the frame for spraying the landfill, deploying the film onto the landfill, and deploying the ballast onto the film. The compactor includes a roller which compacts the waste prior to spraying the landfill and deploying the film and serves as a wheel for the frame. Hydraulics are provided to raise and lower the deployer. In operation, the assembly is pulled by the tractor causing the compactor to compact the waste just prior to the deployer laying the film on the workface and the ballast being deposited onto the film. Additionally, the apparatus is capable of casing the overlapping layers of laid film to adhere to the ballast in between thereby forming a seal between the adjoining layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: EPI Environmental Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Randall Jeff Kozak, Ian Johnson
  • Publication number: 20030053866
    Abstract: A method of injecting steam into a landfill is provided. The steam enhances methane gas production in the landfill during the anaerobic phase, accelerates decomposition/biodegradation of the organic component of the trash prism during both the aerobic and anaerobic phases, and increases the rate of settlement of the landfill. A method of introducing a gaseous anaerobic fertilizer into the landfill is also provided. The fertilizer accelerates the decomposition/biodegradation of the organic component of the trash prism. A method of reducing the volume of a plastic component of the trash prism is provided, wherein the temperature and pressure of injected steam are raised to a level sufficient to melt plastic. Finally, a method of reducing the volume of a quantity of refuse prior to placing the refuse in a landfill is provided, wherein the refuse is heated to melt a plastic component of the refuse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Regis Phillip Renaud
  • Publication number: 20020182011
    Abstract: A systematic method for disposing of industrial waste and increasing production of hydrocarbons from the earth is provided. The method may be used for increasing production of natural gas, natural gas liquids or crude oil. Waste streams from emitters of industrial waste, such as chemical plants, refineries, power plants and other installations are collected and processed to produce streams adapted for use in different types of hydrocarbon reservoirs. Gas streams are processed and injected into depleted or partially depleted gas or oil reservoirs, displacing natural gas that is produced from production wells. Liquid streams are processed and injected into depleted oil reservoirs or gas reservoirs after gas injection. Material that cannot be injected into a hydrocarbon reservoir is injected into a salt dome cavern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventor: Jerry M. Brown
  • Publication number: 20020150429
    Abstract: A remediation technology that can effect an isolating or sealing barrier that treats or facilitates treatment of contaminated surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2001
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventor: John H. Hull
  • Patent number: 6428239
    Abstract: A vadose zone for a leaching field which enables the construction of a leaching field in terrain where conventional leaching fields cannot be constructed. Such terrain also comprise areas where a high water table exists or where percolation tests fail. The vadose zone is constructed adjacent to the leaching field which is buried in a layer of soil which has been constructed over a nonporous barrier such as a plastic sheet or ledge or clay. The effluent from the leaching field is forced to move sideways out of the leaching field into the adjacent soil. The adjacent soil becomes a vadose zone to complete treating the effluent. The effluent is forced to flow through a prescribed predetermined distance through the vadose zone before it is permitted to disperse through the soil toward the water table or over the clay or ledge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Inventor: Harold E Davis
  • Patent number: 6293731
    Abstract: A method for treating materials dredged from a waterway, such as a harbor or channel, and forming a mixture suitable for beneficial re-use as structural fill. The dredged materials (28) may be placed in a treatment vessel (26) which transports the dredged materials (28) through a plurality of processing stages including a dewatering stage, a debris removal stage, a fixation, stabilization and solidification stage, a curing stage, and an offloading stage. The fixation, stabilization and solidification stage involves adding a cement type additive such as Portland Cement along with other additives which stabilize the dredged materials by chemical fixation and solidification to form the structural fill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: SK Services (East) LC
    Inventor: Ritchie G. Studer