A method for manufacturing a recyclable article from municipal solid waste (MSW) without addition of binders is disclosed. The method includes aspects of processing, a proportionate quantity of biodegradable waste and non-biodegradable waste to form a mixture. The processed mixture is loaded into a mould placed in a melter (9). The processed mixture is subsequently melted in the melter (9) at a pre-determined temperature and pre-determined pressure, where the non-biodegradable waste circumscribes and form a bond with the biodegradable waste during melting. The melted mixture is compressed in a compression moulding device (10) at a pressure ranging from 0.1 Kg/cm.sup.2 to 3.0 Kg/cm.sup.2. Further, the compression of the melted mixture is carried out under supply of a coolant for solidifying and forming the article.

A composite ash produced by thermally processing paper and/or carpet exothermic processing waste, the composite ash being an inorganic mineral product or oxidized material of common crystalline and amorphous non-crystalline composition comprising metakaolin and at least one of a group consisting of mineral oxide and mineral carbonate, the composite ash being reactive with a pH greater than about 7.0.

Provided herein are composite materials comprising at least 70 wt. % thermally consolidated recovered paper and plastic fragments and less than 5,000 ng water-soluble endotoxin per gram of composite materials, as well as methods of preparing said composite materials and methods of sanitizing recovered waste materials.

An underground ventilated system for storing nuclear waste materials. The system includes a storage module having an outer shell defining an internal cavity and an inner shell. A majority of the height of the outer shell may be disposed below grade. The outer shell may include a hermetically sealed bottom. First and second canisters are positioned in lower and upper portions within the cavity respectively in vertically stacked relationship. A centering and spacing ring assembly is interspersed between the first and second canisters to transfer the weight of the upper second canister to the lower first canister. The assembly may include centering lugs which laterally restrain the first and second canisters in case of a seismic event. A natural convection driven ventilated air system cools the canisters to remove residual decay heat to the atmosphere. In one non-limiting embodiment, the shells are made of steel.

A sealing system for isolating the environment inside a vitrification container from the outside environment comprises a vitrification container with a lid. The lid comprises two or more electrode seal assemblies through which two or more electrodes may be operatively positioned and extend down through the lid into the vitrification container. The electrodes may move axially up and down through the electrode seal assemblies or lock into place. The electrode seal assemblies each comprise a housing having two halves with recessed ring grooves. Sealing rings with a split may be placed into the grooves. Gas galleries may be machined or cast into the housing such that they are adjacent to the ring grooves. The gas galleries distribute gas onto the external faces of the sealing rings causing a change in pressure resulting in the sealing rings compressing onto the electrodes and forming a seal.

The present invention provides systems, apparatuses, and methods for the treatment of containerized waste, such as hazardous, radioactive and/or mixed waste. The apparatuses and methods employ a combination of thermal decomposition and specialized lances.

The invention includes a system for solidification of pharmaceutical wastes. The system may be for use in connection with a container serving as the medication bottle. The system includes an absorbent composition including a plurality of surface cross-linked superabsorbent particles. Additionally, a soluble packet may be included so that the absorbent composition is released upon dissolution of the packet and medication is rendered unavailable. The invention also includes a method of solidifying pharmaceutical waste.

A system for and method of, processing post-consumer and post-industrial waste streams, producing active ingredients for waste stream processing, processing aqueous waste streams, preparing and collecting a multi-purpose chemical precursor, removing phosphates, nitrates, heavy metals, and other contaminants from aqueous waste streams, collecting and processing a post-consumer and post-industrial product from aqueous waste streams, administering and positioning assets and processes associated with waste stream processing, and scheduling operations for sub-systems of the system.

A system for and method of, processing post-consumer and post-industrial waste streams, producing active ingredients for waste stream processing, processing aqueous waste streams, preparing and collecting a multi-purpose chemical precursor, removing phosphates, nitrates, heavy metals, and other contaminants from aqueous waste streams, collecting and processing a post-consumer and post-industrial product from aqueous waste streams, administering and positioning assets and processes associated with waste stream processing, and scheduling operations for sub-systems of the system.

The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for treating a starting material, wherein the starting material (1) that contains at least organic material is mixed and agglomerated in a mixing stage (4) in the presence of heat to form agglomerated mixture material (5), the mixture material is mechanically pressed in a pressing stage (8) where the temperature of the mixture material rises due to the pressing, and a predetermined product (9) is formed in the pressing stage. Further, the invention relates to the use of the method.