Abstract: A method for disposing of unwanted gaseous fluid components, such as carbon dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, hydrogen sulfide, and oxides of sulfur within a solid carbonaceous subterranean formation, such as a coal seam. The unwanted gaseous fluid components are typically contained in a gaseous process effluent stream which is introduced into the formation.

Abstract: A method and system for long-term control of root growth without killing the plants bearing those roots involves incorporating a 2,6-dinitroaniline in a polymer and disposing the polymer in an area in which root control is desired. This results in controlled release of the substituted aniline herbicide over a period of many years. Herbicides of this class have the property of preventing root elongation without translocating into other parts of the plant. The herbicide may be encapsulated in the polymer or mixed with it. The polymer-herbicide mixture may be formed into pellets, sheets, pipe gaskets, pipes for carrying water, or various other forms. The invention may be applied to other protection of buried hazardous wastes, protection of underground pipes, prevention of root intrusion beneath slabs, the dwarfing of trees or shrubs and other applications. The preferred herbicide is 4-difluoromethyl-N,N-dipropyl- 2,6-dinitro-aniline, commonly known as trifluralin.

Abstract: A method for Refuse Disposal in Solution-Mined Salt Cavities is described. Firstly, crush municipal refuse to a particulate size of less than one inch. Secondly, compact a mixture of particulate refuse and brine into cakes less than one inch in thickness at densities in excess of 77 pounds per cubic foot. Thirdly, mix the cakes with brine to form a slurry with a minimum volume ratio of 2 portions brine to 1 portion cakes. Fourthly, inject the slurry into a brine filled salt cavity, whereby the cakes, being denser than the brine, settle to the bottom of the salt cavity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for hydraulically isolating a volume in porous unsaturated material, such as soil. Air is forced through a permeable layer of material adjacent to the volume to be hydraulically isolated. The air flow through the permeable layer creates a water potential gradient. This causes water to migrate from more saturated areas which in turn would allow hydraulic isolation of any unsaturated area.

Abstract: A method for increasing the capacity of a garbage dump to allow additional garbage to be dumped therein, in which a depth packing device, such as a vibrator or ram, is lowered from the surface of the dump down to a predetermined depth to form a hole surrounded by compacted garbage; additional garbage is then placed in the hole and additionally compacted by the same depth packing device used to form the hole. If a vibrator is used, the additional garbage is dispensed from the vibrator tip as the vibrator is withdrawn from the hole so that a compacted column of garbage is formed. A ram device comprising a pipe having a removable closure at the lower end may also be used. As the pipe is withdrawn from the hole, additional garbage is placed through it and out through the lower closure; the additional garbage is compacted with a weight guided through the pipe.

Abstract: The method of sealing a polluted area containing pollutants to prevent transport of the pollutants from the polluted area includes forming a sealing barrier layer around the polluted area underneath and/or next to it by feeding a liquid sealing material into the liquid permeable ground and fissures under and/or next to the polluted area or into the polluted area by a plurality of injection lances and/or pressure probes from above ground or from the surface of the polluted area. The liquid sealing material is a Montan wax emulsion or a mixture of the emulsion with earth and/or pollutants, the Montan wax emulsion is made from 10 to 20 parts by weight Montan wax, 3 to 5 parts by weight emulsifier, 100 parts by weight of water and from 0 to 10 by weight of a stabilizer.

Abstract: A process for the disposal of carbon dioxide in deep sea, which comprises compressing and dehumidifying gaseous carbon dioxide to be disposed of, passing the so compressed carbon dioxide gas through a cold sea water region where a temperature condition enough to liquefy the compressed carbon dioxide gas prevails via a pipe line to effect cooling of the gas by heat exchange with the cold sea water to thereby liquefy the compressed carbon dioxide gas, conducting the liquefied carbon dioxide through an extension of the pipe line to such a depth of sea water, that the specific weight of the liquefied carbon dioxide at such depth is greater than that of the ambient sea water of such depth, and then discharging out the liquefied carbon dioxide into such deep sea.

Abstract: Liquid wastes and slurries of ground solids wastes are injected into earth formation zones which have a fluid content of fluid similar to the liquid wastes or slurry which is below the irreducible saturation level for the liquid wastes or slurry to be injected. The formation may be non-hydrocarbon bearing or a depleted hydrocarbon bearing reservoir which has been depleted by enhanced fluid recovery techniques below its ambient irreducible fluid saturation value.

Abstract: Slurries of particulate solids wastes are injected into a disaggregated earth formation through an injection well by predetermining the formation to have a compressive stress in a range of about 300 psi to 2500 psi, a porosity of at least about twenty percent (20%) and disposed between overburden and underburden layers which have a substantially lower permeability than the disposal zone. The disposal zone is disaggregated or "liquified" by injecting substantially solids-free liquid followed by injection of the solids-laden slurry.

Abstract: A process for preventing the seepage of hazardous waste material in a waste treatment pond or the loss of heat and evaporation of water in a solar pond comprises controlling the migration of a gelling composition where the density of the gelling composition is adjusted depending on the density of the residence brine of the pond so that the gelling composition gels in a desired location of the pond.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method for the fixation of carbon dioxide which is characterized by the steps of bringing carbon dioxide and seawater or fresh water into contact with each other at a temperature and a pressure required for the formation of carbon dioxide hydrate, and sinking it in the seawater or fresh water satisfying certain conditions for the stability of carbon dioxide hydrate; a method for the fixation of carbon dioxide which uses a pressurized pipeline for producing and cooling the hydrate and releases the product hydrate at a position in the sea where the hydrate can remain stable; an apparatus for fixing and dumping carbon dioxide which is disposed in seawater or fresh water satisfying certain pressure and temperature conditions for the formation of carbon dioxide hydrate and which comprises a container for producing carbon dioxide hydrate, and a discharge means for discharging the hydrate produced out of the container; and an apparatus for the treatment of carbon dioxide which comprises a reaction de

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for disposing of a hypodermic syringe needle and associated tip and hub, the syringe having a tubular body to which the hub is removably attached. The method includes providing an upright, protective receptacle having a downward entrance, and providing a trap door at the entrance; inserting the needle and hub into the receptacle via the entrance and past the trap door; and allowing the trap door to thus block withdrawal of the hub and needle from the receptacle in response to the insertion. The received needle and hub are contained in the receptacle for disposal; and penetrable sealant is also provided in the receptacle in a position to seal off the inserted needle tip from external contamination. Corresponding apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the retrievable storage of high-level nuclear spent fuel. Such waste, which generates heat as it decays, is packed in sealed containers (2) which are placed in a repository site comprising a tunnel or drift (5) in a geological rock formation (50) for permanent or long-term storage. Elongated, sealed cooling enhancement devices (7) are emplaced in boreholes (8) extending from the inside surfaces (16a-b) of the drift (5) and carry heat from the location of the waste containers (5) to farther distances in the repository site. Applicable sealed cooling enhancement devices disclosed are heat pipes (7), thermal syphons (307), superconductor rods, and heat pumps (407). In accordance with a preferred embodiment, conventional mining rock bolts which are hollowed contain a cooling enhancement choice.

Abstract: Slurries of relatively fine particles of solids wastes and similar materials are disposed of through injection wells which penetrate earth formation disposal zones which have a minimum in situ compressive stress generally less than an overburden zone and an underburden zone adjacent to the disposal zone. The disposal zone preferably has a permeability greater than the overburden and underburden zones. The slurry is injected through a disposal well intersecting all of the zones and having perforations preferably communicating the slurry with the underburden zone to provide for lateral growth of the hydraulically fractured disposal zone as the solids filter cake plates out on the fracture faces of the disposal zone without substantially penetrating the overburden zone.

Abstract: The new method of removal and disposal of frozen reserve pit material, thawed reserve pit material and soils contaminated with low level radiation or other pollutants is disclosed. The system has several components that take the solids material and to crush the material down to a workable size. The crushed mixture is agitated and mixed into a slurry. Unlike other systems, the present invention uses agitation plus a jet feed of the fines slurry that is pumped into the bottom of the holding tanks. This supplemental feed assures proper dilution and ensures through mixing. The system then uses finer crushers and hydrocyclones to reduce the particulate size further. Once the material is properly reduced, it can be pumped into an injection well for disposal below ground, using any suitable method.

Abstract: Carbon dioxide gas collected from combustion exhaust gas or the like is transported in a liquefied gas state on the sea by means of ships up to a marine float installation provided with a throw-in pipe reaching to the deep sea, and then the liquefied carbon dioxide is thrown into the deep sea through the throw-in pipe.

Abstract: A method for treating trash and waste tires provides a bag-like container for loading trash consisting of two "tire-nets" sandwiching a plastic layer therebetween. The tire-net is formed by a plurality of wires passing through a plurality of aligned waste tires. Trash is filled into the bag-like container via its open end to a pre-determined extent. Sea water is introduced into the container during and after trash-filling to sterilize the trash therein. The used sea water is pumped out of the container to a waste water treating apparatus to avoid pollution. After filling, the container is enveloped to form a sealed unit, and is then used to fill an area of sea to be reclaimed. The plastic layer is preferably made of acidproof and alkalineproof material to insure an effective and long-lasting sealing.

Abstract: This invention provides a collapsible waste disposal container apparatus and a method of disposing of hazardous waste in the subduction zone between tectonic plates making up the earth's upper mantle.

Abstract: Polymers (and especially hydroxyethylcellulose) are crosslinked using a lanthanide as a crosslinking agent. The crosslinked polymers have utility in well completion, well stimulation, enhanced oil recovery, and subterranean fluid containment operations.

Abstract: Radioactive waste is mixed with concrete and stored below any potable aquifers in a well casing traversing a stable geological hydrocarbon-containing formation. Salt water and/or hydrocarbon zones are sealed off with clean cement. Preferred storage is in offshore deep non-operating oil or gas wells.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for safely disposing hazardous waste in a borehole extending through a seal for a subsurface geopressured formation wherein sealed elongated containers filled with hazardous waste are lowered in the borehole to be positioned within a geopressured formation where the containers are encased in the borehole. In an alternative embodiment, hazardous waste is disposed in the borehole by pressuring the liquid waste and injecting the waste through perforations in a borehole casing directly into the pores of a geopressured formation. The pressurized liquid fractures the geopressure formation and upon release of the pressure on the waste liquid the waste is trapped in the geopressured formation. The seal of the geopressure formation is then restored for providing safe disposal.