Methods of sequestering toxin particulates are described herein. In a primary processing chamber, a carbon source of toxin particulates may be combined with plasma from three plasma torches to form a first fluid mixture and vitrified toxin residue. Each torch may have a working gas including oxygen gas, water vapor, and carbon dioxide gas. The vitrified toxin residue is removed. The first fluid mixture may be cooled in a first heat exchange device to form a second fluid mixture. The second fluid mixture may contact a wet scrubber. The final product from the wet scrubber may be used as a fuel product.

Systems and methods for recovering clarified water and by-products from hydrovac waste or other slurry waste include a receiving unit for receiving the waste; a processing unit for separating coarse aggregates, fine aggregates, and raw water within the waste; and a water clarifying unit for removing ultrafine suspended solids and solid particles from the raw water to yield clarified water.

A system and method for measuring the concentration of magnetic ballast in a slurry to be analyzed is provided. A detection conduit is provided and configured to receive a slurry to be analyzed. The detection conduit may be surrounded by a set of detection coaxial coils. A reference set of two coaxial coils is also provided. A power source is provided for establishing an electrical current. A measurement subsystem for measuring the differential induced voltage between detection and reference coils is provided to determine the concentration of the magnetic ballast in the slurry.

Methods of making a fuel fluid are disclosed. A first working fluid and a second working fluid may be provided. The first working fluid may be exposed to a first high voltage electric field to produce a first fluid plasma, and the second working fluid may be exposed to a second high voltage electric field to produce a second fluid plasma. The first fluid plasma and the second fluid plasma may be contacted to form a fluid plasma mixture, which is transported to a heat exchange device. The fluid plasma mixture may be cooled to form a fuel fluid; and the fuel fluid may be collected.

A separator device for removing particles from suspension in a fluid includes a housing having first and second apertures for ingress and egress of fluid into and out of the housing. A first separator chamber is disposed at one end of the housing. A second separator chamber is disposed at the other end of the housing. A central chamber is disposed between the first and second separator chambers. The first and second separator chambers are apertured for ingress and egress of fluid from the central chamber, and each contains obstruction means to slow the flow of fluid within the chamber.

A method for breaking emulsions includes applying a polymer mixture to an emulsion. The emulsion can be energized, such as through centrifugation or vibration. In particular, the polymer mixture can be in liquid form. The polymer mixture includes first and second liquid polymer, the second liquid polymer being less hydrophilic than the first liquid polymer. Example polymer useful as the first or second liquid polymers includes polyether. In a water-in-oil emulsion, the less hydrophilic polymer can preferentially reside within the oil phase.