Embodiments of the present invention relate to apparatuses, systems, and methods for constructing, installing, and using an inflatable hatch sealing device in environmentally sealing a manhole. In particular, the inflatable hatch sealing device has a sealing assembly with a directed inflatable air bladder, and the sealing assembly is rotatable relative to a contact disc.

Devices are provided for ventilating and/or removing volatile chemicals from liquid (e.g. water) stored in a liquid-containing storage tank (e.g. water-storage tank). The devices include a first fluid flow path that is physically isolated from a second fluid flow path and a convection device for moving a first fluid along the first fluid flow path toward at a desired destination and for exhausting the first fluid at the desired destination at a desired velocity. Methods are also provided for ventilating and/or removing volatile chemicals from liquid (e.g. water) stored in liquid-containing storage tanks (e.g. water-storage tanks). The methods involve blowing a first fluid through a ventilation device into a liquid-containing storage device at a velocity sufficient to achieve a desired mass transfer rate of volatile chemicals from the liquid in the liquid-containing storage device to air in the headspace and flowing the contaminated air back through the ventilation device.

This invention relates to a novel kit, transportable apparatus and method for generating in-situ CO2 snow block within the apparatus. An item such as a biological sample can be stored and transported within the same apparatus that is employed for creating the CO2 snow block. The apparatus is capable of preserving the sample during transport. The invention also includes a specially designed CO2 snow charger system including a charger and meshed conduit. The charger system is operated in accordance with the methods of the present invention to create the in-situ CO2 snow block within a container that can be also used for transport.

This invention relates to a novel kit, transportable apparatus and method for generating in-situ CO2 snow block within the apparatus. An item such as a biological sample can be stored and transported within the same apparatus that is employed for creating the CO2 snow block. The apparatus is capable of preserving the sample during transport. The invention also includes a specially designed CO2 snow charger system including a charger and meshed conduit. The charger system is operated in accordance with the methods of the present invention to create the in-situ CO2 snow block within a container that can be also used for transport.

A thief hatch assembly for a storage tank includes a housing and a cover that rests on an upper surface of the housing to seal and maintain a pressure within the storage tank. The thief hatch cover is configured to open at a predetermined set pressure to relieve excess pressure from the storage tank. The thief hatch assembly is attached to the storage tank using blind threaded mounting holes to prevent escape of gases from the storage tank through the mounting holes. In one embodiment, the blind threaded holes are provided in a flange adapter that mounts between the thief hatch housing and the storage tank. In another embodiment, the blind threaded holes are provided in a flange adapter that is welded to the storage tank. In another embodiment, the blind threaded holes are provided in the base of the thief hatch housing. Seals are provided between the mounting surfaces.

A thief hatch assembly for a storage tank includes a housing and a cover that rests on an upper surface of the housing to seal and maintain a pressure within the storage tank. The thief hatch cover is configured to open at a predetermined set pressure to relieve excess pressure from the storage tank. The thief hatch assembly is attached to the storage tank using blind threaded mounting holes to prevent escape of gases from the storage tank through the mounting holes. In one embodiment, the blind threaded holes are provided in a flange adapter that mounts between the thief hatch housing and the storage tank. In another embodiment, the blind threaded holes are provided in a flange adapter that is welded to the storage tank. In another embodiment, the blind threaded holes are provided in the base of the thief hatch housing. Seals are provided between the mounting surfaces.

The present disclosure refers to a system and components for a thief hatch. The thief hatch may include a flange body comprising a first composite material. The flange is configured to attach to a tank roof. A lid is operably connected to the flange body. The lid comprises a second composite material. The lid comprises a hinge operably connected to allow for at least partial opening and closing of the lid. The first composite material and the second composite material are the same material or different materials.

The present disclosure refers to a system and components for a thief hatch. The thief hatch may include a flange body comprising a first composite material. The flange is configured to attach to a tank roof. A lid is operably connected to the flange body. The lid comprises a second composite material. The lid comprises a hinge operably connected to allow for at least partial opening and closing of the lid. The first composite material and the second composite material are the same material or different materials.

A system comprises a non-transitory machine readable storage medium storing instructions and a database identifying a plurality of assets and a state of each asset. The instructions configure a processor for receiving updates to a distributed electronic ledger managed by plural peer processors. Each update includes an event or change affecting one of the assets. The peer processors verify portions of the ledger describing each event or change. At least one of the updates has not yet been recorded in the ledger at a time of the receiving. The processor computes a state of each asset, based on the updates, receives a request for a state of one of the assets; and responds to the request, reflecting each event and change affecting that asset. The response is performed without waiting for the peer processors to verify an update that has not yet been recorded in the ledger.

A method of preparing non-volatile bituminous material in solid form includes first accessing molds having mold cavities defining an irregularly shaped brick having a plurality of non-planar surfaces and preparing the bituminous material for casting by heating it until it is suitably viscous for casting and optionally blending it with an additive. Then, the molds can be filled with the bituminous materials, preferably using a retractable conduit that progressively fills each mold cavity from its bottom to its top. Next, the bituminous material in the molds is solidified until substantially solid bricks are formed. Optionally, a skeleton with optional additional buoyant features can be placed in each mold cavity prior to casting so that the resulting brick has increased buoyancy throughout, and the skeleton and any buoyant features can be customized according to the needs of the customer. The resulting bricks can be removed for transport.