Abstract: A microwave applicator box for breakdown of organic waste materials, is provided comprising: an interior defined by at least one wall; a plurality of inclined grates in an alternating arrangement, including: a first grate extending from a first direction, and a second grate extending from a second direction and underlapping the first grate; vibration devices connected to the grates by arms; wherein the area above the first grate is defined as a Zone A and wherein the area below the first grate and above the second grate is defined as a Zone B; wherein a first waveguide is connected to an opening in the wall in the area of the Zone A; wherein a second waveguide is connected to an opening in the wall in the area of the Zone B; and wherein the interior of the waveguides is in communication with the interior of the microwave applicator box.

Abstract: A device for the destruction of biohazardous waste converts harmful waste products into environmentally friendly discharge in compliance with environmental protection agency (EPA) standards. The device includes a waste disposal chamber where a crucible resides. The crucible contains a basket for holding the waste which is heated through induction coils that surround the crucible. The waste is vaporized and ionized in a vacuum forming a waste gas and drawn through a catalytic converter and a hot plasma jet via vacuum suction. The waste gas is then exhausted via a discharge duct where is it condensed by a heat exchanger further refining the waste gas into environmentally friendly molecules such as carbon dioxide. The waste destruction device further includes a programmable logic controller and user interface to control the device. Once the waste destruction process is completed, a compressor passes compressed air over the crucible to rapidly cool the crucible.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a method for producing porous granular composite iron having high permeability, hydrophilicity, reactivity, and capacity for treatment of inorganic and organic contaminants. The method may include the steps of: mixing iron powder, or iron/metal mixture and adsorbent powders, with surface modifier and binder compounds to form a granular material. This granular material is used in a filter, vessel, and in situ permeable reactive barrier by passing a contaminated liquid stream through a bed of the granular product for removal of the contaminants. The porous granular iron materials have low bulk density, do not fuse together and can be regenerated for reuse.

Abstract: A sludge treatment system, comprising a pump (1), an ozone generation device, an ejector (2) and pipe reactors (3). The pump (1), the ozone generation device, the ejector (2) and the pipe reactors (3) are sequentially connected by pipes. An oxygen generator (4) and an ozone machine (5) are arranged within the ozone generation device, and are connected by a pipe. The ozone generation device is used for providing ozone into the pipe reactors (3). The inner surfaces of the pipe reactors (3) are coated with a catalyst layer used for increasing the oxidative capacity of the ozone on the sludge. Spiral fin plates (6) allowing a fluid to generate a spiral flow are arranged within the pipe reactors (3). Also disclosed is a sludge treatment method using the present sludge treatment system. The present system has a high ozone utilization rate, and a low ozone input proportion.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for creating plasma particles and applying the plasma particles to a liquid. Liquid feedstock (e.g., water and/or hydrocarbons mixed with biomass) is pumped through a pipeline; the single-phase stream is then transformed into a biphasic liquid-and-gas stream inside a chamber. The transformation is achieved by transitioning the stream from a high pressure zone to a lower-pressure zone. The pressure drop may occur when the stream further passes through a device for atomizing liquid. Inside the chamber, an electric field is generated with an intensity level that exceeds the threshold of breakdown voltage of the biphasic medium leading to a generation of a plasma state. Furthermore, the invention provides an energy-efficient highly adaptable and versatile method and apparatus for sanitizing water using plasma particles to inactivate biological agents contaminating water.

Abstract: A method of separating a high boiling component from a mixture containing organic and/or inorganic boiling components which method involves providing an induction heated screw conveyor having an auger and passing the mixture through the induction heated screw conveyor while inductively heating the auger so as to heat the mixture in the induction heated screw conveyor. The mixture is heated to a temperature that is sufficient to cause the boiling component(s) to separate from the mixture as a vapor and the boiling component is removed from the induction heated screw conveyor.

Abstract: The waste disposal system disclosed herein includes a chamber operated at high ampere and low voltage, the chamber configured to inject smoke on a stream of free radicals. In one implementation, the stream of free radicals is generated from a plasma igniter and the smoke is generated from waste products, such as hospital waste products.

Abstract: A method for disposing electrical and electronic equipment comprising plastic and metal components, the method comprising: melt processing the equipment and/or comminuted parts thereof to form a melt processed product; transferring the melt processed product into a vessel and heating the product using far infrared radiation such that it liberates volatile hydrocarbons and leaves behind non-volatile residue comprising metal; and collecting one or both of the volatile hydrocarbons and the non-volatile residue for subsequent use.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for treating an exhaust gas in a foreline of a substrate processing system are provided herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus for treating an exhaust gas in a foreline of a substrate processing system includes a plasma source coupled to a foreline of a process chamber, a reagent source coupled to the foreline upstream of the plasma source, and a foreline gas injection kit coupled to the foreline to controllably deliver a gas to the foreline, wherein the foreline injection kit includes a pressure regulator to set a foreline gas delivery pressure setpoint, and a first pressure gauge coupled to monitor a delivery pressure of the gas upstream of the foreline.

Abstract: A process of incorporating technetium into an electroless deposit, forming an alloy that is extremely resistant to corrosion and reduces the mobility of technetium on a geologic time scale is disclosed and claimed. The process includes providing a liquid containing technetium, such as an aqueous waste stream generated during the used nuclear fuel reprocessing activities. The technetium is collected and concentrated, and provided into an electroless deposition bath. A substrate, such as suitably prepared zero valent iron or stainless steel, is introduced into the bath to initiate autocatalytic electroless deposition of the technetium onto the substrate due to the difference in electrochemical potential between the plating bath and ti metals in solution. This causes a layer of technetium metal to form on the substrate.

Abstract: A drug deactivation system according to some embodiments includes at least one drug-retaining region of a drug delivery device and at least one energy source coupled to the at least one drug-retaining region. The at least one drug-retaining region may be configured to retain a drug. The at least one energy source may be configured to transmit energy to the drug. The drug is capable of being rendered ineffective in the presence of the transmitted energy.

Abstract: A VOC treatment apparatus is provided for treating substantially opaque VOCs and comprises a processing chamber (24) in which VOCs are treated; and a solar energy introducing device (8). The solar energy introducing device (8) comprises a tubular structure having a first end located external to the processing chamber (24) and having a first inlet (14) through which concentrated sunlight is received and a second inlet (16) through which a flow of substantially optically transmittant gas is received. The solar energy introducing device (8) has a second end (18) that opens into the processing chamber (24) and terminates in a nozzle providing an outlet for the substantially optically transmittant gas and the concentrated sunlight. In use the optically transmittant gas exits the second end of the device in a jet to create an optically transmittant zone in the substantially opaque VOCs within the processing chamber (24), in which zone the sunlight can travel.

Abstract: A waste transformation and destruction apparatus includes a natural gas ignition system, a silica material bed, a heat transfer device, and a system for collecting plasma produced energy. A reaction formed by heat from ignition, carbon from the waste material, supercritical water, —OH radicals, and muons released from the silica bed transform the waste into a fuel. This fuel is more efficiently consumed by the complete combustion process resulting in near total elimination of the waste, increased energy production, and virtually no emissions.

Abstract: A method for treating a radioactive liquid waste containing a sodium salt, which includes: feeding a radioactive liquid waste containing at least one of sodium hydroxide, sodium hydrogencarbonate and sodium carbonate to an anode chamber in an electrolytic cell provided with an anode and a cathode on both sides of a permeable membrane, which is selectively permeable to sodium ions, and electrodialyzing the radioactive liquid waste; separating sodium ions permeated through the permeable membrane as sodium hydroxide from the radioactive liquid waste in a cathode chamber; separating a radioactive substance remaining in the anode chamber as a concentrated radioactive liquid waste; and recovering the separated sodium hydroxide and concentrated radioactive liquid waste, respectively.

Abstract: A process has been developed to selectively dissociate target molecules into component products compositionally distinct from the target molecule, wherein the bonds of the target molecule do not reform because the components are no longer reactive with each other. Dissociation is affected by treating the target molecule with light at a frequency and intensity, alone or in combination with a catalyst in an amount effective to selectively break bonds within the target molecule. Dissociation does not result in re-association into the target molecule by the reverse process, and does not produce component products which have a change in oxidation number or state incorporated oxygen or other additives because the process does not proceed via a typical reduction-oxidation mechanism. Target molecules include ammonia for waste reclamation and treatment, PCB remediation, and targeted drug delivery.

Abstract: In a method for treatment of a dispersed material in a plasma, in which a plasma-forming gas is introduced into a reaction chamber and ionized and a dispersed material is introduced into the reaction chamber and into the area of the plasma, treated under the action of the plasma, and subsequently removed from the area of the plasma, the introduction of the plasma-forming gas and the introduction of the dispersed material are performed independently of one another and from different directions. In an apparatus for treatment of a dispersed material in a plasma, which comprises a reaction chamber having a plasma generator, a first inlet for a plasma-forming gas, and a second inlet for the dispersed material, the second inlet is situated spatially separated in relation to the first inlet so that the dispersed material is conducted from the outside into the plasma.

Abstract: A method of sterilizing a closed environment is provided in which a disinfection apparatus is placed into the closed environment; it then generates ozone to a predetermined ozone concentration, following which the humidity of the closed environment is rapidly increased. A catalytic converter then reduces the ozone concentration to safe levels. When the ozone concentration is reduced to a predetermined safe level, the disinfection apparatus signals.

Abstract: A drug deactivation system according to some embodiments includes at least one drug-retaining region of a drug delivery device and at least one energy source coupled to the at least one drug-retaining region. The at least one drug-retaining region may be configured to retain a drug. The at least one energy source may be configured to transmit energy to the drug. The drug is capable of being rendered ineffective in the presence of the transmitted energy.

Abstract: A device and method for inactivating infectious biological or chemical agents using microwave-activated diazoluminomelanin (DALM). The agents are typically vacuumed into a load cavity, which is at least partially filled with DALM. The load is irradiated with microwaves via a cylindrical waveguide disposed under the load cavity, thereby inactivating or destroying the agents. The system is preferably temperature controlled and operation is preferably automated.

Abstract: A process has been developed to selectively dissociate target molecules into component products compositionally distinct from the target molecule, wherein the bonds of the target molecule do not reform because the components are no longer reactive with each other. Dissociation is affected by treating the target molecule with light at a frequency and intensity, alone or in combination with a catalyst in an amount effective to selectively break bonds within the target molecule. Dissociation does not result in re-association into the target molecule by the reverse process, and does not produce component products which have a change in oxidation number or state incorporated oxygen or other additives because the process does not proceed via a typical reduction-oxidation mechanism. Target molecules include ammonia for waste reclamation and treatment, PCB remediation, and targeted drug delivery.

Abstract: An apparatus for concentration and deactivation of actinide nuclear materials having a pair of spaced apart electrodes made of a composite material including at least one oxide, at least one carbon-containing material and lead, a nuclear waste water stream flowing between the electrodes, and a DC power supply operably connected with the electrodes. When a voltage is applied to the spaced apart electrodes, nuclear cations in the nuclear waste water stream are attracted to one of the electrodes and anions in the nuclear waste water stream are attracted to the other of the electrodes, forming a substantially deionized water stream and a concentrated nuclear waste stream.

Abstract: An air sanitization system including a reactive oxygen species generator, a variable speed fan, a pathogen sensor and a controller. The reactive oxygen species generator generates reactive oxygen species from an oxygen-containing gas and discharges the reactive oxygen species to a conditioned space. The variable speed fan directs the oxygen-containing gas to the reactive oxygen species generator at a controlled speed. The pathogen sensor senses a level of airborne pathogens in the conditioned space and generates a signal indicative of the level of pathogens sensed. The controller receives the signal from the pathogen sensor and varies the speed of the variable speed fan in response to the signal to decrease a speed of the variable speed fan in response to an increase in the level of airborne pathogens sensed by the pathogen sensor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a process for the destruction of toxic or hazardous chemical products using inductively coupled plasma. These products may occur in liquid, gaseous or powder form and belong to the family of organic or halogenated organic compounds.

Abstract: The various embodiments herein provide a method of preparation of a nano-material for dechlorination of polychlorobiphenyls (PCB) from oil. The method involves preparing a modified bentonite prepared by treating with hexadecyl pyridinium bromide surfactant and dispersing the modified bentonite in cyclohexane. Aqueous solutions of metal ion such as Cadmium Nitrate or Zinc Nitrate and sulfide ions such as sodium sulfide are added alternately to obtain metal sulphide nano-particles. zinc nitrate is more preferable. The method of dechlorination of polychlorobiphenyls from oil involves irradiating a mixture of oil, nano-material and a solvent such as toluene under UV light for 2-6 h. A nano-material including a modified bentonite with a mono-layer of surfactant and metal sulphide nano-particles such as ZnS and CdS for remediation of oil containing PCB, is also provided.

Abstract: A pulsed gliding arc discharge (PGD) reactor includes an ignition coil driven by a pulse generator which is connected to a pair of divergent electrodes fixed by a reactor housing with a fluid inlet and outlet. Hydrogen peroxide and dye degradation can be carried out with a PGD reactor according to the invention with efficiencies that are more than two orders of magnitude greater than a conventional ACG reactor based on the calculated specific energy yield.

Abstract: A photocatalyst nanocomposite which can be used to destroying biological agents includes a carbon nanotube core, and a photocatalyst coating layer covalently or ionically bound to a surface of the nanotube core. The coating layer has a nanoscale thickness. A method of forming photocatalytic nanocomposites includes the steps of providing a plurality of dispersed carbon nanotubes, chemically oxidizing the nanotubes under conditions to produce surface functionalized nanotubes to provide C and O including groups thereon which form ionic or covalent bonds to metal oxides, and processing a metal oxide photocatalyst sol-gel precursor in the presence of the nanotubes, wherein a nanoscale metal oxide photocatalyst layer becomes covalently or ionically bound to the nanotubes.

Abstract: A system for neutralizing contaminants, such as pathogens, toxins, and biological organisms on or within an object, which may be housed in a container, such as an envelope, by focusing a plurality of energies or fields including electromagnetic, electrostatic, magnetic, or acoustic on the object in an amount effective to neutralize such contaminants without substantially deleteriously affecting the object or its contents is provided. A pressurizable chamber has means for focusing the energies or fields on the object, in a continuous fashion, and to concentrate the controlled energies at the object and its contents. A pressurization and evacuating system for expelling air and entrained contaminants from the object allowing a sensor to detect and classify contaminants within the chamber.

Abstract: A method of removing hydrocarbons from soils contaminated with various hydrocarbons such as gasoline, diesel fuel, solvents, motor oil and crude oil. The process first screens the soil to remove oversized rocks and debris and to reduce the contaminated soil to uniformly sized particles. The soil particles are moved along a conveyor and first sprayed with an oxidizer diluted with ionized water and then sprayed with ionized/oxidized water. The washed particles are then vigorously mixed with an auger mixer for several minutes to oxidize almost all of the remaining hydrocarbons. The washed and hydrocarbon-free soil is then moved by conveyor to a stockpile for storage, testing and drying.

Abstract: A nanopore reactive adsorbent composite material, which may be a porous adsorbent, has a composition and microstructure, which integrates adsorbency, reactivity and catalysis. Integration may be achieved by modifying nanopore surfaces with dense ligand groups and by embedding at least one reactant phase effective to accomplish a sequence of reactions of which at least one reaction may be catalyzed by the surface ligand groups. The solid reactant phase may include reactive metal particles, such as, Mg, Sn, Al, Fe, or Zn, or mixtures thereof, and may be effective as in-situ reducing agent. A macroporous adsorbent, may be formed from the composite material. Recovery of mercury from a contaminated liquid is described. A second reactive phase, which may comprise a sulfur polymer or another metal effective to immobilize liquid mercury in-situ, may be included in or with the composite.

Abstract: Hydrogen peroxide is vaporized (20) and mixed (30) with ammonia gas in a ratio between 1:1 and 1:0.0001. The peroxide and ammonia vapor mixture are conveyed to a treatment area (10) to neutralize V-type, H-type, or G-type chemical agents, pathogens, biotoxins, spores, prions, and the like. The ammonia provides the primary deactivating agent for G-type agents with the peroxide acting as an accelerator. The peroxide acts as the primary agent for deactivating V-type and H-type agents, pathogens, biotoxins, spores, and prions. The ammonia acts as an accelerator in at least some of these peroxide deactivation reactions.

Abstract: Supported photooxidation catalysts containing a metal oxide or metal ion as catalyst which is fixed to the support by means of carboxylate moieties are an alternative to existing such catalysts, particularly if low cost supports such as organic polymers, particularly polyethylene, are used. The supported photocatalysts can be used in mineralisation of organic pollutants in both liquids and gases and show reduced leaching of the catalyst and good resistance towards reactive oxygen species generated during the degradation process.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for removing SO2, NO, and NO2 from a gas stream having the steps of oxidizing a portion of the NO in the flue gas stream to NO2, scrubbing the SO2, NO, and NO2 with an alkali scrubbing solution, and removing any alkali aerosols generated by the scrubbing in a wet electrostatic precipitator. The process can also remove Hg by oxidizing it to oxidized mercury and removing it in the scrubbing solution and wet electrostatic precipitator. Alkali sulfates, which are valuable fertilizers, can be withdrawn from the rubbing solution.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for removing SO2, NO, and NO2 from a gas stream having the steps of oxidizing a portion of the NO in the flue gas stream to NO2, scrubbing the SO2, NO, and NO2 with an ammonia, ammonium hydroxide, alkali hydroxide or carbonate scrubbing solution, regenerating the scrubbing solution with limestone, and removing any particulate matter and aerosols generated by the scrubbing step in a wet electrostatic precipitator. The process can also remove Hg by oxidizing it to oxidized Hg and removing it in the wet electrostatic precipitator. The scrubbing solution is preferably regenerated with limestone or magnesium, and results in a Group II sulfite or sulfate that can be recovered and sold, or landfilled.

Abstract: A conventional method of pyrolytically decomposing plastic to make low-molecular compounds is poor in efficiency of use of energy due to high heating temperatures (at least 600° C. and 800° C. at maximum). The invention provides that a functional powder is heated to a predetermined temperature and pieces of plastic to be disposed are caused to be contacted with the heated powder, the functional powder including a powder which does in an aqueous solution state show alkalinity, and a photo-catalyst effect powder.