Abstract: The gas sample device structure has a housing with a continuous normally vertical sidewall, closed top and an open bottom. Buoyant elements are secured to the housing to maintain its vertical position in a body of liquid livestock waste. A normally closed compartment is located on the top of the housing. A partition is located within the closed compartment to divide it into first and second subcompartments. An opening is provided in the closed top of the housing to allow gases from liquid manure in the housing to move into the first subcompartment. One or more hollow gas detection tubes are mounted in the second subcompartment and have a first open end in communication with the interior of the first subcompartment to receive gases from within the first compartment. The method of the invention involves placing the housing in a liquid manure lagoon so its buoyancy is maintained by the buoyancy elements, but the lower portion thereof is submerged in the liquid manure.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for reducing the leaching of lead from a lead bearing material or waste. The method includes contacting the material or waste with a water soluble phosphate and a complexing agent, wherein the complexing agent is at least slightly water soluble, whereby a lead product is formed which is less soluble than the lead originally in the material or waste, thereby reducing the leaching of lead from the material or waste as determined by a leach test performed on the material or waste.

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: Method and system of operating an Intelligent Pump-and-Treat groundwater recovery system where the groundwater level is monitored in monitoring wells and that information transmitted to a computer controller. The computer controller calculates a new groundwater extraction flow rate required to maintain a desired capture zone and then automatically changes the flow rate of the groundwater extraction pump accordingly.

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 processing chamber for the treatment and decontamination of biological or medical waste includes a rotating waste treatment system carried within an open-top processing chamber, a cap for closing the chamber opening, a gas-pervious liner carried within the chamber for preventing waste from adhering to the underside of the cap as a result of waste-treatment operations, a sealing member disposed at and for sealing the interface of the cap and the processing chamber, and a chemical indicator carried within the interior of the processing chamber for confirming the presence of decontaminant during a waste treatment cycle.

Abstract: Water-containing inorganic waste materials, originally in loose form, and which contain water-soluble components capable of reacting with each other are mixed and then compacted at a pressure sufficient to reduce the space, volume between the particles of material, cause the reduced space volume to become filled with water and the reactive components to react.

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 method of immobilizing or stabilizing lead paint contaminated construction or demolition debris in which the debris is shredded, mixed with water and a chemical, such as fly ash, lime, Portland cement or kiln dust. The treated debris is then collected and allowed to stand for a period of time sufficient for the lead paint to be converted from a soluble form to an insoluble form. Excess water may be drained and collected and the treated and lead paint stabilized debris disposed of.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for reducing the leaching of lead from a lead bearing waste, The method includes contacting the waste with a water soluble phosphate and a complexing agent, wherein the complexing agent is at least slightly water soluble, whereby a lead product is formed which is less soluble than the lead originally in the waste, thereby reducing the leaching of lead from the waste as determined by a leach test performed on the waste.

Abstract: A system and method for the real-time monitoring of the location (e.g. vertical extent) of a fracture within a waste disposal formation as that fracture is being formed. Acoustical-energy sensors (e.g. geophones) are isolated within the annulus of the well through which the waste material is injected into the formation. This eliminates the need for expensive, dedicated monitor wells while protecting the sensors from the abrasive effects of the injected waste material.

Abstract: A waste disposal landfill has at least one subsurface impermeable sheet for containing and directing fluid runoff from the site. This impermeable sheet can be remotely monitored with respect to its impermeability to verify that there are no breaks in the sheet and that no waste is passing therethrough.

Abstract: A computer based material processing system 10 allows for the processing of contaminated material in a manner which allows the material to be discharged into a sewage facility or placed in a landfill.

Abstract: A method is disclosed in which a plasma arc torch is used to vitrify and remediate a site containing contaminated soils, resulting from a hazardous material deposit or spill, or contaminated buried objects. The contaminated earthen material or subterranean deposit is pyrolyzed, melted or solidified by the plasma torch which is energized at the bottom of a cased, vertical borehole, and then gradually raised to the surface. An array of boreholes, appropriately spaced, will remediate an entire mass of contaminated material. Similarly, buried objects such as metal drums containing contaminants and underground storage tanks may be selectively remediated at their specific buried depth. Similar use is made of the plasma torch in a second embodiment with the additional step of processing at selected underground locations in the borehole array to create a sealed horizontal layer, vertical cutoff walls or a sealed basin as a barrier against further leaching of contaminants into surrounding soil and groundwater.

Abstract: A vadose zone monitoring system for detecting leaks from a contaminant storage facility or the like is disclosed in which leaks are detected in a confined radial area around at least one generally horizontal, neutron access tube disposed under the landfill. A wicking layer of material increases the leakage detection coverage area by laterally transmitting leakage to the access tube via capillary action. A clay liner may be disposed between the landfill and wicking layer for controlling the rate of leakage to prevent build-up of a pressure head large enough to force liquid through the wicking layer before it is conducted laterally to the access tube. Leak detection may be carried out by neutron moderation techniques or other moisture detection schemes for developing logs indicative of the leakage from the landfill. The wicking layer permits an entire network of access tubes or other leak detection means to be installed under substantially the entire landfill for monitoring leaks therefrom.

Abstract: A method is disclosed in which a plasma arc torch is used to vitrify and remediate a site containing contaminated soils, resulting from a hazardous material deposit or spill, or contaminated buried objects. The contaminated earthen material or subterranean deposit is pyrolyzed, melted or solidified by the plasma torch which is energized at the bottom of a cased, vertical borehole, and then gradually raised to the surface. An array of boreholes, appropriately spaced, will remediate an entire mass of contaminated material. Similarly, burled objects such as metal drums containing contaminants and underground storage tanks may be selectively remediated at their specific buried depth. Similar use is made of the plasma torch in a second embodiment with the additional step of processing at selected underground locations in the borehole array to create a sealed horizontal layer, vertical cutoff walls or a sealed basin as a barrier against further leaching of contaminants into surrounding soil and groundwater.