Abstract: Disclosed are waste disposal devices for minimizing contamination of an operating room table with blood and body fluids during and after a surgery while substantially reducing the volume of medical waste and disposable materials generated by surgery. In one embodiment the device includes a bag constructed to fit an operating room table having u-shaped margins for collecting fluid runoff, a drainage tube with valve and a closure means for sealing the bag. Upon completion of the surgery, the bag is quickly and easily removed and completely sealed to enclose contaminated fluids and draperies generated by surgery. Prior to disposal, the contaminated fluids and trapped air are vacuumed from the sealed bag thereby substantially minimizing the volume of the disposable material.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for absorbing organic, ecologically stressed pollutants (1) such as oil, tar and phenols on grounds (12), rubble or solid disposal site surfaces which are floating on or in waters of a disposal site with liquid and/or sludge phases and/or solid sediments. This object is achieved in that in the invention fly ash (3) and/or cement-activated fly ash of large surface and evincing the structure of a hollow sphere, especially fly ash from lignite-powder fired boilers, is brought into contact with the pollutant, in that fly ash and pollutant are activated with water (5), being mixed into a pollutant-immobilized mixture (6) and being used in consolidating manner.

Abstract: A mobile safety structure for the storing and handling of containers of hrdous materials comprising multiple modular storage units. The modular storage units may be configured in tandem to form one embodiment of the modular mobile safety structure. In this configuration access between the interiors of adjacent modular storage units is provided by a bellows which is connected to and removable from a bellows support frame in a side wall of each modular storage unit. The modular storage units may also be configured in a stacked arrangement to form an alternate embodiment of the modular mobile safety structure. In this configuration access between the interiors of the stacked modular storage units is provided through an opening between units in the stack. A pull down safety ladder affixed to the roof assembly of all units except the top unit in the stack allows the user to gain access to each unit in the stack of modular storage units.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of soil in situ involving examination and cleaning of contaminated soil. Treating medium and/or any other material for treating the contamination is introduced into the soil intended to be treated. The process involves the use of oblique angled connecting pipes which are connected to a perforated pipe-system fitting to the dominant position of the contaminated layer or the layer intended to be treated. One branch of the pipe system collects the contaminated liquid and/or contaminated soil water and brings it to the earth's surface. The other branch of the system delivers treating medium to the contaminated soil. Optionally, the contaminated liquid or contaminated soil-water can be cleaned and reintroduced into the same branch of the pipe system into which the treating medium is introduced.

Abstract: A process for in situ immobilization of metals in waste stack affected zones including a waste stack and any adjacent boundary zone.

Abstract: A landfill liner comprising clay and lime for capturing certain leachate contaminants, particularly potentially toxic heavy metals. The lime acts to absorb significantly more of the potentially toxic heavy metals than would a conventional clay landfill liner.

Abstract: A disposable back table collection device having a container with an open end and at least one layer of an absorbent material positioned within the container. The open end of the container is sealed with a cover containing a leak resistant injection site. The invention also may have a second layer of an absorbent material positioned on top of the cover with an aperture therein corresponding to the location of the injection site. In use, a syringe is inserted into the injection port and the syringe is drained. The fluid from the syringe is absorbed into the layer of absorbent material. When the syringe is removed, the injection port has sufficient elastic "memory," or shape retaining characteristics, to return to its original position, thereby insuring a leak resistant seal. Further, there is no splashing while the syringe is either inserted or removed because any droplets of fluid that may escape from the syringe are absorbed into the absorbent material on the top of the device.

Abstract: A method for containing potentially infectious devices. The potentially infectious devices are deposited is a container to which is added an MDI-based urethane prepolymer-containing composition to at least partially envelope the potentially infectious devices. The prepolymer containing composition is caused to harden through polymerization to immobilize the devices, and to act as a sterilizing or disinfectant agent due in large part to the exothermic nature of the reaction.

Abstract: A system for in situ decontamination of contaminated soil in a contaminated zone comprising:a. a metal section placed in the contaminated soil,b. a heating means attached to said metal section for heating said metal section,andc. an extraction system adjacent or near said metal section for withdrawing vapors and condensates generated from heating the contaminated soil.

Abstract: The battery disposal and collection apparatus includes a terminal connection having a terminal electrode pressed by a pressing structure on an upper cover, a battery guide case having a battery container to which the terminal electrode is inserted when the upper cover is closed, and which contains batteries, a rotary plate having an electrode terminal and a battery dropping hole on the plane of a rotary plate under the battery guide case. The electrode terminal contacts the terminal of a battery at the side opposite to the one at the terminal electrode when the terminal of the battery contained in the battery container contacts the terminal electrode. A battery discharger discharges current flowing between the terminal electrode contacting the terminal of the battery contained in the battery container and the electrode terminal. A battery receiver stores the battery which is discharged by the battery discharger and dropped through the battery dropping hole of the rotary plate.

Abstract: Methods for waste treatment and compositions of stabilized waste elements are provided, typically for the disposal of arsenical wastes. Arsenic trioxide waste produced as a by-product of metal extraction is slurried in water for from 6 to 24 hours with finely divided quicklime to produce nonvolatile calcium arsenate (III). An excess of CaO stoichiometry with As is used to consume secondary waste species such as sulphate, silicate and iron oxides. The precipitated arsenate is oven dried at 120.degree. C. and then calcined in air between 15 minutes to several hours at 1000.degree. C. to 500.degree. C. respectively to oxidize arsenate (III) to arsenate (V) as Ca.sub.5 (AsO.sub.4).sub.3 (OH) (an apatite) as the major arsenic immobilization phase, with minor arsenic incorporated in Ca.sub.3 (AsO.sub.4).sub.2. Calcium sulphate anhydrate (sulphate immobilization) and calcium iron oxide (iron immobilization) are also produced.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) and a method for vitrifying hazardous waste includes a melting vessel (12) in which a stirrer (38) mixes hazardous waste and any other necessary components for forming a glassy mixture upon heating while an electrical current is applied across the melting vessel and the stirrer to provide electrical current flow, and a metallic containment vessel (46) of the apparatus receives the melting vessel so as to receive and contain any material that exits the melting vessel upon failure. Any failure of the melting vessel (12) is detected by a sensor (48). The containment vessel (46) is preferably hermetically sealed around the melting vessel (12) to contain gases as well as any melted material received from the failed melting vessel (12). The sensing of the failure can be either by a pressure change in the hermetically sealed chamber (58) or by sensing of the presence of material received by the containment vessel (46) from the failed melting vessel (12) such as by an electrical circuit type detection.

Abstract: A process for an article of encapsulated waste which is acceptable for transportation and storage is prepared by whereby the contaminated solid is contacted in a bath of a molten paraffinic hydrocarbon encapsulating material for time sufficient to expel moisture and to coat the solid rendering the contaminant immobile, isolated and unleachable into the environmental system once the paraffin has solidified. An embodiment of this invention employs a zeolite to absorb liquid wastes expelled from the solid which remains in the article.

Abstract: A secondary containment reservoir device having a bottom and side walls forming a reservoir, and communicating with the reservoir an expandable retention bladder which automatically expands to receive liquid from the reservoir, allowing the total capacity of the device to greatly exceed the capacity of the reservoir alone. The device can be adapted to receive or support any type of primary liquid container above the reservoir, including drums, barrels, tanks, IBC's, tanker vehicles, tanker trailers or railroad tankers. In one embodiment, the reservoir is formed within a pallet having a support deck to receive drums or barrels of liquid. A single bladder or multiple bladders may be used, and the bladders may be mounted internally or externally.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for disposing mineral processing tailings. The process includes the step of treating the tailings to produce a flowable paste including a mass comprised of particles at least approximately 15% of which are less than 20 microns in diameter. The process further includes the step of preparing an unconfined ground surface tailings disposal site by grading a selected site to produce a substantially level paste receiving bed. The flowable paste is then deposited onto the paste receiving bed from a discharge station to flow by gravity to a natural angle of rest of between approximately 1.degree. and 10.degree. slope. The paste is allowed to consolidate from flowable to a solidified state, retaining the natural angle of rest. Overburden is then placed over the solidified paste. The process is particularly useful in ore processing using cyanidation in which cyanide destroying chemicals are used at or prior to preparation of the flowable paste.

Abstract: A process for in situ immobilization of metals in waste stack affected zones including a waste stack and any adjacent boundary zone.

Abstract: A system for the treatment of waste material includes a waste-receiving module for receiving waste material and blending it with glassmaking additives. The waste-receiving module is enclosed within a waste-receiving module container which is capable of being sealed for over the road transport so that the waste-receiving module can be transported safely from one source of waste material to another without complete decontamination. The system also includes a melter module containing a melter for melting together the blended waste material and glassmaking additives to form homogeneous molten glass and thereby stabilize the waste material. The molten glass is discharged to form a vitrified waste material. The melter module is comprised of one or more melter module containers which are capable of being sealed for over the road transport so that the melter module can be transported safely from one source of waste material to another without complete decontamination.

Abstract: A method of containing and remediating contaminants within the soil includes the step of placing a gel barrier into the soil for containing the contaminants. The gel barrier and the soil contained therein define the containment zone. Microorganisms capable of remediating the contaminants in the soil are added to the containment zone. The gel barrier is produced by preparing an aqueous solution of a gel precursor, injecting the aqueous solution into the soil at a desired location, and crosslinking in situ the gel precursor to form the gel barrier at the desired location.

Abstract: An apparatus for safely delivering a hazardous fluid substance to a receiving structure includes a supply cylinder containing the fluid substance and having a supply cylinder release port; a high pressure containment vessel having a vessel wall, for receiving and safely enclosing the supply cylinder; a high pressure first tube extending from, and in fluid communication with, the supply cylinder release port to a vessel port in the vessel wall; and a vessel valve in fluid communication with the first tube for controlling delivery of the fluid substance from the supply cylinder and from the vessel. The vessel valve preferably includes a fluid substance sensing valve assembly mounted in the vessel port, for automatically shutting off the flow of the fluid substance at the vessel port upon detection of the fluid substances outside the containment vessel. The vessel valve preferably includes a reduced orifice controller.

Abstract: A process for improving degradation, stabilization, detoxification and volume reduction of refuse within an unsecured landfill. The process comprises the control of ground water and extracting the ground water for use as a liquid medium to facilitate creation and recirculation of leachate. The present process requires that landfill leachate be collected and recycled back into the landfill. The process additionally includes the injection of selected wastes and additives into the leachate, leachate enroute to be recirculated through the landfill. The materials which can be added to the leachate alter the mix of physical and chemical conditions within the landfill so as to accelerate the rate of leachate stabilization, accelerate the rate of conversion and stabilization of organic and inorganic refuse within the landfill, reduce the volume of landfill refuse, and reduce the potential toxicity of refuse. The landfill thus becomes an anaerobic biological reactor with physical-chemical treatment capabilities.

Abstract: A low-temperature method for producing coated hazardous waste pellets which re used as the aggregate in a concrete wasteform is characterized by combining hazardous waste with a chemically setting organic polymer to form a mixture which is formed into pellets. The pellets are first coated with epoxy and then coated with a silicate-based powder. The liquid concrete-pellet mixture is then placed in molds which can be rotated to concentrate the pellets away from the perimeter of the wasteform. The double-coated hazardous waste pellets have improved bonding when used as a coarse aggregate in a concrete mixture. The resulting wasteform is self-supporting and needs no external container for transportation, storage, or disposal.

Abstract: A low permeability waste containment structure includes a clay-containing component such as bentonite in combination with an effective amount of granular activated carbon to retard the migration of organic and inorganic contaminants through the waste material containment construction. The granular activated carbon can be added in amounts up to 20% or more without degrading the physical characteristics of the waste material containment structure.

Abstract: A coaxial piping system connected between an underground pump and an above-ground liquid dispenser is used to provide containment of the pumped liquid from the underground piping system, preventing unintended release into the environment. A pair of coaxial pipes are removably connected to the underground pump at one end and to the dispenser at the other end using quick-disconnect fittings to allow for the replacement of the piping. A primary pipe for conveying gasoline or the like is surrounded by a secondary pipe, which provides containment in the event of leakage from the primary pipe. The piping system can be tested for leaks or replaced from grade without excavating at the installed tank site. A sensor in the annular space between the primary and secondary pipes may be used to detect leakage. A path may be provided for the gravity drainage of such leaks from the secondary pipe into a containment chamber, where the liquid may be detected and removed.

Abstract: Improved structural members including solid and hollow core beams, poles, columns and enclosure structures formed of a cement-based slurry infiltrated fiber composite material. The improved structural members are produced by first placing a plurality of individual short fibers or fiber mats of organic or inorganic materials into a form to create a bed of fibers substantially filling the form and having a predetermined fiber volume density and then adding a cement-based slurry mixture into the form to completely infiltrate the spaces between the fibers. Existing structural members may be retrofitted with jackets of the cement-based slurry infiltrated fiber composite material. The cement-based slurry mixture includes a composition of Portland cement or blended cement, fly ash, water, a high-range water reducer (superplasticizer), and may also include fine grain sand, ground granulated blast-furnace slag, chemical admixtures, and other additives.

Abstract: The monitoring assembly for a landfill or garbage dump comprises two sensor hoses, which are laid on both sides of a sealing liner parallel to each other. A transport medium can flow through the sensor hoses in the same or in opposite directions. First and second indicator signals are determined with the aid of at least one detector. The indicator signals indicate the presence of a pollutant in the transport medium and thus in the relevant sensor hose. These signals are logically combined with each other, with regard to location, preferably subtracted from each other. The resulting signal distinctly shows an extreme value in its curve as soon as a leak is present in the sealing liner. The position can be easily determined from that graphic representation.

Abstract: A process for treating a contaminated solid unacceptable for disposal in the environment is described whereby the contaminated solid is contacted in a bath of a molten paraffinic hydrocarbon for time sufficient to expel moisture and to coat the solid rendering the contaminant immobile, isolated and unleachable into the environmental system once the paraffin has solidified. An embodiment of this invention employs a zeolite to absorb liquid wastes expelled from the solid.

Abstract: A receptacle (59) is provided which includes a flask (22) surrounded by a casing (23) able to slide into a pipe by pneumatic means. A composite element (33, 40) formed of all of one piece is used to close both the openings of the flask and casing by means of screwing. These improvements and others render the receptacle extremely suitable for a large number of measurements carried out in shielded analysis boxes for dangerous samples, especially radioactive ones.

Abstract: The hazardous or toxic waste material storage apparatus includes a flexible inner container for receiving the hazardous waste material or toxic waste material with the inner container having at least one zone of expansion which is substantially more expandable than other portions of the inner container. The inner container which holds the hazardous or toxic waste material is sealed and disposed within an outer container which is preferably composed of a flexible material. The zones of expansion may preferably be provided in the inner container by a plurality of vertically extending pleats or horizontally extending pleats, or both. The inner container preferably occupies less than the full volume of the outer container so as to permit relative movement therebetween. A sealing disc may function as a closure for the outer container and may be mechanically engaged with portions of the outer container to retain the same in position.

Abstract: An advancing freeze front is established in a porous region adjacent to or within contaminated earth. A flow of contaminated liquid phase water migrates toward the freeze front and a concentration of impurities is established in front of the advancing freeze front. When the freeze front reaches a collection zone, at least a portion is melted and the resultant water bearing concentrated impurities is collected and removed. This process may be repetitively performed.

Abstract: A system for containing and neutralizing a heavy vapor cloud from a potential source of hazardous vapor, such as HF from an HF alkylation unit, comprising a primary containment enclosure for containing and neutralizing a major portion of the vapor in the event of a leak, and a secondary fence line spaced from the primary enclosure for absorbing the vapor as the cloud passes therethrough.

Abstract: Waste sites are capped or covered upon closure. The cover structure incorporates a number of different layers each having a contributory function. One such layer is the barrier layer. Traditionally the barriers have been compacted soil and geosynthetics. These types of barriers have not been successfully implemented in unsaturated ground conditions like those found in dry climates. Capillary barriers have been proposed as barrier layers in dry environments, but the divergence length of these barriers has been found to be inadequate. An alternative to the capillary barrier is a anisotropic capillary barrier. An anisotropic capillary barrier has an increased divergence length which results in more water being diverted laterally preventing the majority of water from percolating in a downward direction through the barrier.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transporting syringes containing radioactive material. The apparatus includes a radiopharmaceutical pig having an inner chamber in which a sharps container can be secured. The sharps container has a housing and an attachable cap. The method includes assembling the radiopharmaceutical pig so that the chamber of the radiopharmaceutical pig contains the syringe in the sharps container housing. The radiopharmaceutical pig is disassembled, where upon the syringe is removed, discharged, and then replaced in the sharps container housing. The cap of the sharps container is affixed to the housing of the sharps container, thus enclosing the contaminated syringe therein. The radiopharmaceutical pig is assembled so that its chamber contains the sharps container and the syringe. The radiopharmaceutical pig is transported to a disposal area, where it is disassembled and the sharps container containing the syringe is placed in a particular disposal container.

Abstract: A new method for sealing off a mass of waste which comprises surrounding the mass of waste, stabilized waste or its placement side with a least one substantially continuous layer of porous material, the layer defining a substantially continuous, waste-encompassing interface, and providing a sufficient amount of an interactive reagent on either side of the interface for the reagent upon placement to diffuse towards each other and to form a precipitate filling the pores of the porous material substantially along the interface thereby forming a waste-encompassing layer of reduced permeability. The special benefit of this method is that after a rupture of the seal the interactive reagents form a new seal, thus preventing loss of noxious substances through the rupture.

Abstract: A drill assembly for penetrating a wall of a container is provided. The container is supported by a platform within a recovery vessel. The drilling assembly allows removal of a fluid from the container. The drilling assembly includes a tube for lining a first opening into the recovery vessel, as well as a first housing having an interior. A first adapter couples the housing to a first end of the tube to partially define a longitudinal bore. A shaft is rotatably disposed within the longitudinal bore. The shaft has one end for engagement with a drill bit with the other end for engagement with a motor. The drill bit is engaged to the shaft to penetrate the container wall, while the motor is engaged to the other end of the shaft. A first seal assembly forms a first fluid barrier between the interior and the longitudinal bore. Multiple seals may be formed between the first housing and the container. The container and the adapter may be integrally connected.

Abstract: A system for containment of heavy vapor cloud and aerosol from a potential source of hazardous vapor comprising walled surfaces surrounding the vapor source and a roof above the vapor source and forming with the walled surfaces an enclosure for the vapor source. The roof is porous with openings therethrough dimensioned for minimizing wind shear and extending over at least about 20% of the surface area of the roof, and a device is located within the enclosure for absorbing the vapor.

Abstract: A chemical control system for controlling volatile hydrocarbons adjacent a dry cleaning machine is providing having a first framework of air distribution pipes positioned adjacent the upper portion of a dry cleaning machine for discharging low pressure air in a predetermined pattern therefrom. A second framework of fluid intake pipes are positioned adjacent to the lower portion of a dry cleaning machine for drawing in air and volatile liquid fumes and filtering the air being drawn thereinto. Sensors are provided for sensing fluids, air pressure, and temperature for controlling the operation of the system. A liquid catch basin is provided under and around the dry cleaning machine for capturing liquids for removal from the liquid catch basin. The system also provides a plurality of fluid discharge pipes placed in the earth below the dry cleaning machine along with pipes for drawing in fluid so that the earth below the dry cleaning machine is cleansed of volatile fluids.

Abstract: An object of the invention is rapid fabrication of sealed tracks for trash-dump construction to assure reliable protection even on slopes. The invention proposes a protective element 1,15,21,33 in the shape of a shallow container with essentially constant height that receives a filling of sand 10,36 or a sand-like bulk material and which spans its space in such a way that a plurality of such can be laid as a gapless compound into a protective layer.

Abstract: Disclosed are formulations for producing chemical solvent admixtures that can be employed to clean a surface for further work; and that can be applied to cloths for the cleaning operation yet alleviate problems with solvent evaporation into the atmosphere to cause many legal and environmental problems, and a method of storing and disposing of cloths soaked with the formulation that alleviates current problems.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for encapsuling hazardous wastes materials stored in drums. The drum is enclosed in an overcapsule that is grouted to the drum and the contents of the drum are stabilized if necessary with a solidification grout. Once the grouts have set, the overcapsule is positioned onto an undercapsule and grouted to the undercapsule so that the entire capsule with the drum containing hazardous waste inside may safely be transported and stored. The capsule is shaped so that the individual capsules may be stacked one on the other.

Abstract: Upon completion of dislodging and transporting mine material from an underground mine, the mine is converted to a repository for the disposal of hazardous waste. The mine includes a network of connected chambers each formed by surrounding sidewalls into which parallel spaced boreholes are drilled to dislodge mine material from a seam in the rock formation. For use as repository, each borehole is lined with a layer of water permeable material. Drums containing hazardous waste are encapsulated within spherical cement modules. The modules are positioned in spaced relation within the boreholes. Shock absorbing reinforcing material fills the voids within the boreholes surrounding the modules to protect the modules from damage due to seismic disturbances in the underground formation. Each of the cement modules is ventilated to dissipate heat through an air plenum into the central chamber.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to the field of the storage of toxic wastes, in solidified form, without the creation of any pollution, on appropriate artificial sites. Briefly, a concrete raft is cast on a ground stabilized in depth, said concrete raft being constituted by slabs having joints between them and being arranged in a diamond moulding. This raft can support a tight-sealing material. Wastes are then piled up on the raft in maintaining the shape of a tumulus-like mound, the positioning being done under the protection of a movable cover comprising a travelling crane provided with rolls of plastic film.

Abstract: An environmental chamber comprising a transparent dome shaped housing having an annular conduit, including an exhaust port, affixed to the base of the housing. The housing securely fits over an end of a chemical container, to create a controlled environment within the encapsulated space between the housing and the container. Two cylindrical openings at the top of the housing allow chemical transfer hoses to be connected to the chemical container openings. A pair of gloved access ports allow an operator to access the encapsulated space to manipulate connections between the transfer hoses and the chemical container openings. The top of the housing also includes an intake port for delivering clean purging material into the encapsulated space in order to purge the encapsulated environment of any chemical that escaped from the chemical openings during hook up of the transfer tubing.

Abstract: A secondary containment structure for the safe storage of hazardous materials held in primary containers, such as drums, cans and bottles. In large sizes, the containment structure is adapted to function as a pallet or as the floor of a building or shelter for primary containers. The structure includes a core formed of an end-grain balsa wood base and a rectangular frame placed thereover formed of the same or similar material to define the bed and the side walls of a sump. The inner edges at the upper end of the frame are indented to create a ledge to accommodate a fiberglass grating. The containers to be stored are seated on the grating, whereby leakage or spillage from the containers are collected in and confined to the sump. Laminated to the exposed surfaces of the core is a layer of a fiberglass-reinforced plastic material, whereby the resultant laminate, though light in weight, is of exceptional strength.

Abstract: The invention relates to an emergency spill basin for collecting flammable and/or environmentally unsound materials issuing from a chemical plant in the event of a major accident. According to the invention, the basin comprises a deep shaft (1) constructed in the ground, which is closed at the bottom (2) and has a diameter smaller than its depth. Arranged in the longitudinal direction of the shaft (1) is a fire-extinguishing gas pipe (4) extending into the vicinity of the bottom (2) of the shaft and comprising outlet openings (5) spaced along its length. Provided on the bottom (2) of the shaft is a layer of nonflammable granules (3) of low specific gravity.