Provided are an agent for decreasing the fluidity of a solid-liquid mixture (agent), and a method for decreasing the fluidity of a solid-liquid mixture within a short time while preventing an increase in the volume of the solid-liquid mixture, regardless of the chemical composition of the solid-liquid mixture. The agent is a granular material having a structure formed by entangled fibers. In one embodiment of the agent, the granular material has an average particle diameter of 300 m or less and a specific surface area of 0.25 to 100 m2/g inclusive as measured by a BET method. In another embodiment of the agent, the granular material has a porosity of 50% or more and a specific surface area of 0.25 to 100 m2/g inclusive. It is preferred that each of the fibers contains a hydrophilic polymer; the hydrophilic polymer is preferably cellulose, the solid-liquid mixture is preferably mud.

An apparatus to lift liquid from a reservoir of liquid and aerate the liquid. A downwardly opening enclosure has an inlet for liquid to flow from a reservoir into the enclosure. The enclosure includes a channel for the liquid to flow upward. An inner cone within an outer cone forms a gas chamber connected to an external gas compressor. Holes in the gas chamber walls allow the gas to flow into the channel and aerate the liquid which is returned to the reservoir.

An apparatus to lift liquid from a reservoir of liquid and aerate the liquid. A downwardly opening enclosure has an inlet for liquid to flow from a reservoir into the enclosure. The enclosure includes a channel for the liquid to flow upward. An inner cone within an outer cone forms a gas chamber connected to an external gas compressor. Holes in the gas chamber walls allow the gas to flow into the channel and aerate the liquid which is returned to the reservoir.

A method is described for using basalt to selectively adsorb organic toxic materials, such as dioxins, furans, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, arsenic, mercury, chromium, copper, nickel, zinc, cadmium, lead, and the like, from substances such as sediment, which contains water and the toxic materials. Optionally, the basalt may be in the form of a liner, a cap, or a filter that surrounds, contains, or contacts sediment contaminated with the organic toxic material(s).

An apparatus for synergistically combining a plasma with a comminution means such as a fluid kinetic energy mill (jet mill), preferably in a single reactor and/or in a single process step is provided by the present invention. Within the apparatus of the invention potential energy is converted into kinetic energy and subsequently into angular momentum by means of wave energy, for comminuting, reacting and separation of feed materials. Methods of use of the apparatus in the practice of various processes are also provided by the present invention.

A wastewater plant and method for treatment of wastewater sludge or other wastewater fluids are described. The wastewater plant utilizes an electrical discharge system configured for receiving a wastewater fluid, and generating a transient voltage and arcing electric current pulse through the received wastewater fluid to create an electro-hydraulic shock wave within the wastewater fluid accompanied by a high electric field, intensive heat and light radiation.

A methane fermentation system which can efficiently generate methane gas is provided. The methane fermentation system decomposes an organic waste with an anaerobic microorganism to cause methane fermentation so as to generate the methane gas. The methane fermentation system includes a wet bead mill which finely pulverizes the organic waste. The methane fermentation system also includes a methane fermentation chamber in which the organic waste finely pulverized in the wet bead mill is decomposed with the anaerobic microorganism to cause the methane fermentation so as to generate the methane gas.

A methane fermentation system which can efficiently generate methane gas is provided. The methane fermentation system decomposes an organic waste with an anaerobic microorganism to cause methane fermentation so as to generate the methane gas. The methane fermentation system includes a wet bead mill which finely pulverizes the organic waste. The methane fermentation system also includes a methane fermentation chamber in which the organic waste finely pulverized in the wet bead mill is decomposed with the anaerobic microorganism to cause the methane fermentation so as to generate the methane gas.

Disclosed are methods and machines for removing volatile compounds from sludge. Additionally, disclosed are methods and machines for removing pathogens from sludge.

A method for immobilizing arsenic includes adding calcium arsenate to a glass-forming material containing iron, silica, and alkaline components so that an iron/silica weight ratio is in a range of 0.5 to 0.9 and an amount of alkaline components is in a range of 14 wt % to 26 wt %, and thereby incorporating the arsenic into a glass solidified body. For example, the method for immobilizing arsenic may include: adding an alkaline solution and an oxidizing agent to a copper-arsenic-containing substance, and thereby carrying out an oxidizing leaching; separating a leach residue by solid-liquid separation; adding calcium hydroxide to a recovered alkaline arsenate solution to generate calcium arsenate; and adding the glass-forming material to the recovered calcium arsenate so that the iron/silica weight ratio and the amount of alkaline components are in the above-mentioned ranges, and thereby incorporating the arsenic into the glass solidified body.