The present invention describes a method for manufacturing of a composite fixated material comprising the steps of: (a) providing bottom oil shale ash obtained after burning oil shale, said bottom oil shale (BOSA) comprises pozzolanic particles having size of about 10 to 4000 μm and being capable of adsorbing trace elements at their surface; (b) providing acidic waste comprising said trace elements; and (c) adding the BOSA provided in step (a) to the acidic waste provided in step (b) in amount of about 0.1-0.4 weight parts of said BOSA per one weight part of said waste, and mixing said waste with said BOSA, thereby obtaining a neutralised (scrubbed) precipitate with the fixated trace elements, wherein said neutralised (scrubbed) precipitate with the fixated trace elements constitutes said composite fixated material.

The invention relates to a low-permeability geotechnical barrier material including a blend of approximately equal parts of: aggregate particles, sand-size particles and manufactured composite particles that include a hydratable sealant material composed of naturally-occurring clay minerals and/or polymer-enhanced clay minerals, such that the actual percentage of clay mineral component is less than 10% by weight in the blended material. In a particular embodiment, the construction of a low-permeability geotechnical barrier using predominantly coarse grain materials by conventional compaction efforts is rarely attempted due to the difficulty of maintaining a uniform mix of well-graded sand and aggregate blends necessary to achieve low permeability. The regularly achievable permeability offered by this material blend when installed with specific proscribed techniques using conventional equipment can be 5×10.sup.−8 cm/sec or lower.

The present invention provides a bidirectional energy-transfer system comprising: a thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete, disposed in a structural object; a location of energy supply or demand that is physically isolated from, but in thermodynamic and/or electromagnetic communication with, the thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete; and a means of transferring energy between the structural object and the location of energy supply or demand. The system can be a single node in a neural network. The thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete includes a conductive, shock-absorbing material, such as graphite. Preferred compositions are disclosed for the thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete. The bidirectional energy-transfer system may be present in a solar-energy collection system, a grade beam, an indoor radiant flooring system, a structural wall or ceiling, a bridge, a roadway, a driveway, a parking lot, a commercial aviation runway, a military runway, a grain silo, or pavers, for example.

Systems and methods are disclosed for landfill systems, comprising waste, a geosynthetic product, and a layer of foam glass aggregates interposed between the waste and the geosynthetic product.

The present invention discloses a copper slag-fly ash geopolymer, a preparation method thereof, and use thereof, belongs to the technical field of geopolymer. The preparation method of copper-fly ash geopolymer provided by the application comprises the steps of: mixing the copper slag, fly ash and alkali activator solution, obtaining a slurry; proceeding polymerization to the slurry, obtaining a copper slag-fly ash geopolymer. The fly ash and copper slag are used as raw materials in the application, which greatly improve the utilization rate of the industrial waste residue. The advantages line in that no need for additional addition of inorganic reinforcing filler, low production cost, simple operation and competency for industrial production. Moreover, the copper slag-fly ash geopolymer has good compressive strength, and can solidify the heavy metal ions in copper slag at the same time, thus reducing the environmental pollution.

The permeability of barrier layers formed from sodium bentonite clay may be significantly and unpredictably impacted upon contacting various ionic substances. Modifying agents may be admixed with sodium bentonite clay to lessen the impacts resulting from its contact with an ionic substance. Suitable modifying agents may comprise an anionic substance selected from the group consisting of a diutan, a polymer containing a 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid monomer, any salt thereof, and any combination thereof. Methods for forming a barrier layer may comprise: providing a barrier material comprising sodium bentonite clay and a modifying agent admixed with the sodium bentonite clay, the modifying agent comprising an anionic substance selected from the group consisting of a diutan, a polymer containing a 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid monomer, any salt thereof, and any combination thereof; and forming a barrier layer comprising the barrier material.

The present invention provides a bidirectional energy-transfer system comprising: a thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete, disposed in a structural object; a location of energy supply or demand that is physically isolated from, but in thermodynamic and/or electromagnetic communication with, the thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete; and a means of transferring energy between the structural object and the location of energy supply or demand. The system can be a single node in a neural network. The thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete includes a conductive, shock-absorbing material, such as graphite. Preferred compositions are disclosed for the thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete. The bidirectional energy-transfer system may be present in a solar-energy collection system, a grade beam, an indoor radiant flooring system, a structural wall or ceiling, a bridge, a roadway, a driveway, a parking lot, a commercial aviation runway, a military runway, a grain silo, or pavers, for example.

Systems and methods are disclosed for landfill systems, comprising waste, a geosynthetic product, and a layer of foam glass aggregates interposed between the waste and the geosynthetic product.

A reformulated barrier material for use as an alternative cover for landfills made from recycled materials which may comprise construction and/or demolition debris to which is added tire derived rubber particles to inhibit the release of hydrogen sulfide gas through the reformulated barrier material to the surrounding atmosphere from the landfill beneath.

The invention relates to a sealing wall building material, which has a binding agent with cement and aggregates. It is provided according to the invention that the binding agent comprises a mixture of cement and fly ash, wherein it is free of clay material, and that it has an impermeability with a kf value of 10.sup.7 m/s and less.