An accelerated process for the complete destruction of a matrix material, such as a matrix material including cement and/or asbestos-containing materials (ACMs), is disclosed. The process comprises forming a slurry or suspension by combining the matrix material with an acid solution (including, for instance, acid waste, which can also be neutralized by the process), causing acid-based chemical reactions in the slurry that cause the destruction of the matrix material. Simultaneously to the chemical reactions, the slurry or suspension is subjected to cavitation, which synergistically cooperates with the chemical reactions to accelerate matrix material destruction. The matrix material can be ground and polarized prior to being submerged in the acid solution to form the slurry. The slurry can be subjected to hydrothermal treatment. Inert secondary raw materials (SRMs) that are non-hazardous to the environment and human health can be obtained from the process.

An enclosure for containment and removal of hazardous material from objects is described, having a frame comprising a plurality of bars and a plurality of joints, each joint being releasably connectable to at least two bars, a flexible bag attachable to the frame, the bag being at least in part transparent, and comprising a resealable seam, and at least one adjusting device for tightening or loosening the bag on the frame. Usually, the enclosure, in use, is a negative pressure enclosure. The enclosure is particularly useful for containing and removing asbestos, especially from pipes. Also described are methods for removal of hazardous material from an object and methods for isolating an animal having an infectious and/or contagious disease using the enclosures.

The method for detoxifying asbestos disclosed here includes: preparing an asbestos-containing substance that contains at least one type of asbestos; preparing an asbestos treatment agent that contains a mineral acid, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone and a fluoride; and bringing the asbestos-containing substance into contact with the asbestos treatment agent so as to detoxify asbestos in the asbestos-containing substance. Due to this configuration, asbestos in the asbestos-containing substance can be favorably detoxified.

An enclosure for containment and removal of hazardous material from objects is described, having a frame comprising a plurality of bars and a plurality of joints, each joint being releasably connectable to at least two bars, a flexible bag attachable to the frame, the bag being at least in part transparent, and comprising a resealable seam, and at least one adjusting device for tightening or loosening the bag on the frame. Usually, the enclosure, in use, is a negative pressure enclosure. The enclosure is particularly useful for containing and removing asbestos, especially from pipes. Also described are methods for removal of hazardous material from an object and methods for isolating an animal having an infectious and/or contagious disease using the enclosures.

The method for detoxifying asbestos disclosed here includes: preparing an asbestos-containing substance that contains at least one type of asbestos; preparing an asbestos treatment agent that contains a mineral acid, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone and a fluoride; and bringing the asbestos-containing substance into contact with the asbestos treatment agent so as to detoxify asbestos in the asbestos-containing substance. Due to this configuration, asbestos in the asbestos-containing substance can be favorably detoxified.

The invention is directed to a method for processing asbestos-containing steel scrap into useful products, which products can be handled in a safe manner. In accordance with the present invention the asbestos-containing steel scrap is melted in a furnace, which results in destruction of the asbestos fibers. It has been found possible to carry out such a process in an economically feasible manner. In accordance with the invention asbestos-containing steel is heated to high temperature so that the steel melts. As a result the asbestos will be converted into harmless material, which allows for safe handling and processing of the resulting products.

An accelerated process for the complete neutralization of acid wastes, the destruction of concrete and/or the denaturation of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) includes forming a slurry or suspension by submerging in the acid solution the concrete and/or asbestos-containing materials (ACMs); the concrete and/or asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) cause the acid wastes neutralizing chemical reactions in the slurry or suspension and, at the same time, the destruction of concrete and/or the denaturation of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). Simultaneously to the chemical reactions, the slurry or suspension is subjected to hydrodynamic cavitation, preferably using an apparatus capable of producing and managing three types of simultaneous controlled cavitation acting in the same space volume, accelerating the chemical reactions taking place in the slurry due also to the simultaneous presence of acid, concrete and/or asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). The concrete and/or asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are preferably ground and polarized prior to be submerged in the acid solution to form the slurry. The polarization take place, for the really first time, with a cold plasma torch. In addition the slurry or suspension is preferably subjected to hydrothermal treatment, preferably using a reactor which ensures the preservation of the constancy of the ideal physical parameters for the reaction in the physical chemical environment. In this reactor are additivated chemicals, hydroxyapatite and biological substances that have binder/chelating power especially on metals contained in asbestos, especially on magnesium, in order to prevent its reformation. Recovering, at the end of the process, inert secondary raw materials (SRMs) that are non-hazardous to the environment and human health. In addition, this process could be used to produce molecules that are important intermediates of the subsequent reactions/processes, leading to the formation of salts/compounds used as dietary supplements and also in important environmental remedies such as polluted water reclamation and the treatment of heavily polluted soils.

The invention relates to a system for asbestos neutralization, that comprises a neutralization unit comprising, in an atmospheric containment: a module for sorting of asbestos waste, an asbestos waste grinder, which reduces the size of the asbestos waste to a dimension ranging from one-tenth of a millimeter to one millimeter, a concentrated sulfuric acid tank, a vat containing a hot diluted acid solution, for which temperature is between 70 C. and 100 C., in which grinded asbestos waste containing asbestos is dipped, said solution neutralizing asbestos contained in the grinded asbestos waste, a filtration unit to separate, at the end of the neutralization reaction, a solid inert waste from a liquid phase of the diluted acid solution, a regeneration unit for the diluted acid solution, which adjusts the hydrogen potential of the extracted liquid phase by adding concentrated sulfuric acid from the tank, and means for transferring the regenerated solution into the vat.

The invention relates to a system for neutralizing asbestos, said system comprising a mobile neutralization unit (200) comprising: an asbestos waste sorting module (225), an asbestos grinder (255) and a hot acid bath (250) for rendering asbestos inert. Preferably, the asbestos waste sorting module comprises: a window with glove boxes; and a conveyor for transporting the asbestos waste in front of the window. In embodiments, the system comprises a means for containing the atmosphere within the mobile neutralization unit and/or the hot acid bath (250) of the mobile neutralization unit (200) comprises sulfuric acid.

An accelerated process for the complete destruction of a matrix material, such as a matrix material including cement and/or asbestos-containing materials (ACMs), is disclosed. The process comprises forming a slurry or suspension by combining the matrix material with an acid solution (including, for instance, acid waste, which can also be neutralized by the process), causing acid-based chemical reactions in the slurry that cause the destruction of the matrix material. Simultaneously to the chemical reactions, the slurry or suspension is subjected to cavitation, which synergistically cooperates with the chemical reactions to accelerate matrix material destruction. The matrix material can be ground and polarized prior to being submerged in the acid solution to form the slurry. The slurry can be subjected to hydrothermal treatment. Inert secondary raw materials (SRMs) that are non-hazardous to the environment and human health can be obtained from the process.