Abstract:
Described herein is a method and instrumentation for cleaning up mercury spilled from broken fluorescent light bulbs. The method provides for the safe clean-up of the mercury spilled from four or fewer four-foot bulbs (or their equivalent) without the use of a respirator or other respiratory protection, while avoiding the expense associated with contracting an environmental remediation firm to perform the clean-up.
Abstract:
Bioremediation geocomposite articles, and their method of manufacture, for treating (digesting) contaminants in soil or water. The bioremediating geocomposite mat includes a woven or non- woven geotextile, having a thickness of about 6 mm to about 200 mm. In the preferred embodiment, outer layers of the geocomposite article have a porosity sufficient to receive a powdered or granular contaminant-reactive material, contaminant-sorptive material, or a contaminant-neutralizing material in at least outer portions of the thickness across its entire major surface(s) for better contact of the bacteria with contaminants held by the powdered or granular material. In the most preferred embodiment, liquid-permeable cover sheets are adhered to the upper and lower major surfaces of the bacterial-containing geotextile article to prevent a powdered or granular material from escaping from the geotextile during transportation and installation.
Abstract:
The invention provides a material for use in waterproofing or containment of liquids, gases or solids, the material comprising a layer which comprises an impermeable or a semi permeable barrier and is adapted to facilitate drainage, wherein the material comprises a geomembrane or waterproofing barrier material comprising a plurality of voids which facilitates drainage, said plurality of voids being provided by means of a layer which comprises a cuspated layer, said cuspated layer comprising a plurality of cusps, wherein said cusps are adapted so as to facilitate the joining of the edges or cuspated parts of said material to the cuspated parts of said material at any angle, said cusps having a shape and being located in a position on said material so as to facilitate said joining. The invention also provides a method for the formation of a barrier material from a plurality of samples of material according to the first aspect of the invention. The material and method according to the invention find particular application in the sealing of landfill sites.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a disposal area for storing waste and residual substances of solid organic or inorganic substances, composite substances, or mixtures thereof. According to the invention, a trough comprising a bottom (14) and lateral walls is arranged in the ground (22), the bottom of the trough comprising at least two water-tight layers (B, C) containing constituents of a ceramic binder system (CBS). At least one water-tight plastic film (26) is arranged flat between the upper water-tight layer (C) and the product to be stored (24a), a solidified heap of debris being stored on said plastic film as a product to be stored (24a). The inventive disposal area is also provided with a cover comprising at least two water-tight layers (B, C) on which at least one rubble drain bed is arranged for carrying away rainwater.
Abstract:
A geotechnical barrier includes a first barrier layer; a second barrier layer overlying the first barrier layer and spaced therefrom, the first and second barrier layers defining, at least in part, a fluid passageway having an inlet and an outlet; and fluid displacement means for displacing a fluid through said fluid passageway from the inlet to the outlet. The invention extends to method for constructing and operating a geotechnical barrier and to a geosynthetic barrier and a geocomposite geosynthetic barrier.
Abstract:
A device intended to produce a pressure difference in and/or a flow of a gas between an accumulation of the gas beneath a foundation (7) of a house and a surrounding in order to remove the gas from the accumulation of the gas beneath the foundation (7) of the house, the device comprising a fan house (23) and a fan unit (25) arranged within the fan house (23), the fan unit (25) comprising at least one fan (29) arranged to produce the pressure difference in and/or the flow of the gas.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a waterproofing and drainage system, comprising a layered structure that consists of the following (in succession from the bottom upwards): (a) a synthetic material or bitumen layer; (b) a first nonwoven layer consisting of a hydrophobic polymer; (c) a drainage layer consisting of a second hydrophobic polymer, and (d) a second nonwoven layer consisting of the first hydrophobic polymer. The invention also relates to the use of said system.
Abstract:
A structure utilizing geothermal energy capable of effectively utilizing a thermal energy in an underground constant temperature layer while using a supplementary heater and an air conditioner and natural energies such as solar heat or solar light, wind power, and water power in order to prevent limited fossil energies such as petroleum, gases, and coal from being exhausted, wherein an insulating wall (A) formed of a plurality of insulation panels (1) connected to each other and extending from a ground surface (4) to the underground constant temperature layer (21) is buried in the ground while surrounding a building (22) adhesively to the ground exposed portion and the underground buried portion of a foundation (5).
Abstract:
A method of treating a contaminated material comprising forming a low-permeability barrier (20) over the contaminated material (21) thereby creating a substantially hydraulically closed system and treating the material beneath the barrier by at least one of delivering a substance to treat the contamination and removing flowable material from beneath the barrier (20).
Abstract:
The invention relates to a system of building components for use in the construction of the foundation (1) for a roadway, a gas station, an assembly bay, a car wash installation, or similar constructions. The inventive system comprises a functional portion (3) that is supported on both sides by a supporting layer (2) and that receives supporting elements (4). Said functional portion is provided with respective through openings and support zones for conduits, roof element supports or the like. According to the invention, the support elements (4) and/or the adjoining functional portions (3) are designed as assembly units that are assembled from pre-fabricated individual elements.