An apparatus for producing pozzolanic material from consumer waste includes a glass separator unit to remove glass material from the waste and a size reduction unit downstream the glass separator unit. The glass separator unit includes a tubular outer member and an inner helical member extending inwardly from the inner surface of the tubular outer member and defining an open central bore. The tubular outer member and the open central bore define respective coaxial longitudinal axes that are disposed at an angle relative to a horizontal reference plane, with the inlet higher than the outlet. Non-glass/non-ceramic material is output through the open outlet end of tubular outer member utilizing a flow of water. The glass/ceramic material is output to the size reduction unit through the open inlet end of the tubular outer member utilizing the rotating inner helical member of the glass separator unit.

An apparatus for producing pozzolanic material from consumer waste includes a glass separator unit to remove glass material from the waste and a size reduction unit downstream the glass separator unit. The glass separator unit includes a tubular outer member and an inner helical member extending inwardly from the inner surface of the tubular outer member and defining an open central bore. The tubular outer member and the open central bore define respective coaxial longitudinal axes that are disposed at an angle relative to a horizontal reference plane, with the inlet higher than the outlet. Non-glass/non-ceramic material is output through the open outlet end of tubular outer member utilizing a flow of water. The glass/ceramic material is output to the size reduction unit through the open inlet end of the tubular outer member utilizing the rotating inner helical member of the glass separator unit.

Disclosed herein are methods and compositions useful in recycling automotive paint sludge in the formation of ore pellets. In many embodiments, the pellets are iron ore pellets comprising magnetite ore, and one or more of limestone and bentonite. The automotive paint sludge may be water based or other solvent based. In many embodiments, the disclosed methods and compositions may result in pelletized ore with performance characteristics (hardness, resistance to breakage, porosity, reduction, etc.) that are similar or superior to pelletized ore lacking paint sludge.

A process for separating components of a waste stream. In one embodiment, the process includes providing shredded material in a form of particles each having a size of less than 2 inches. The particles of shredded material are separated based on size into a plurality of streams. Each of the plurality of streams is separated, based on density, into a first substream of greater density and a second sub stream of lesser density. Brittle components of each first substream are pulverized, leaving metallic components in sheet form. Metallic components are separated from the first substream after the pulverizing. The process can be utilized to recover metals from automobile shredder residue, such as copper, aluminum, and precious metals.

An artificial fish reef using a vehicle body made of steel plate of a discarded vehicle as an artificial-fish-reef outer shell portion, the artificial fish reef includes the artificial-fish-reef outer shell portion and a carbide which is generated by using interior and exterior materials which are provided to be attendant on the vehicle body as a raw material.

Waste feed material, such as Automotive Shredder Residue (ASR) feed material, that includes hydrocarbon materials and inorganic materials is processed using photolysis. A reactor includes a chamber that receives waste feed material including a majority of hydrocarbon material after the substantial removal of inorganic material including metals and minerals. A photonic illumination or photolysis module irradiates the feed material within the chamber of the reactor to decompose the hydrocarbon or hydrocarbon materials within the waste feed material into gases and/or carbonaceous solids. A mechanical movement unit moves the waste feed material within the chamber of the reactor to facilitate exposure of different portions of the feed material to irradiation within the chamber during system operation. A pre-treatment module substantially removes the contained metals and minerals in the waste material from the hydrocarbon material fed to the reactor.

A process for separating components of a waste stream. In one embodiment, the process includes providing shredded material in a form of particles each having a size of less than 2 inches. The particles of shredded material are separated based on size into a plurality of streams. Each of the plurality of streams is separated, based on density, into a first substream of greater density and a second sub stream of lesser density. Brittle components of each first substream are pulverized, leaving metallic components in sheet form. Metallic components are separated from the first substream after the pulverizing. The process can be utilized to recover metals from automobile shredder residue, such as copper, aluminum, and precious metals.

An upflow leach bed reactor configured to contain a substrate is provided. The reactor includes a container comprising a floor and a sidewall and configured to contain the substrate. The reactor further includes a fluid injection system including a plurality of fluid inlet ports arranged in an array across the floor. The fluid inlet ports can be moved between a first position below the substrate and a second position at least partially within the substrate. The reactor can also include a vertical drain extending from the top to the floor, between the substrate and the sidewall, and configured to permit downward liquid flow and inhibit upward liquid flow therethrough. The reactor can further include an inflatable bladder positioned adjacent the top of the container and configured to press downward against a top surface of the substrate.

A process for separating components of a waste stream. In one embodiment, the process includes providing shredded material in a form of particles each having a size of less than 2 inches. The particles of shredded material are separated based on size into a plurality of streams. Each of the plurality of streams is separated, based on density, into a first substream of greater density and a second substream of lesser density. Brittle components of some or all first substreams are pulverized, leaving metallic components in sheet form. Metallic components are separated from the first substream after the pulverizing. The process can be utilized to recover metals from automobile shredder residue, such as copper, aluminum, and precious metals.

Systems, methods, and other embodiments for removing contaminated materials such as asbestos from railcars (i.e., train cars and subway cars) for subsequent recycling of the railcars. In particular, a collapsible inner containment structure having a HEPA negative air pressure is used. A door on the inner containment structure is opened at one end of the inner containment structure and a railcar is transported into a work area located within the inner containment structure. The door is then closed so that the inner containment structure can maintain the negative pressure within the inner containment structure. The contaminated materials such as asbestos are removed from the inside of the railcar using a mixture of pressurized water and media.