Described herein is a composition for use in a geosynthetic clay liner, the composition comprising particles, at least some of which are discrete particles and each comprise: a compacted swelling clay, the clay having been compacted such that it at least partially surrounds a fluid-loss preventing polymer. Also described herein is a clay liner formed from the composition, a method for producing particles for use in a geosynthetic clay liner, and a method of forming a clay liner.

The present invention provides a bidirectional energy-transfer system comprising: a thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete, disposed in a structural object; a location of energy supply or demand that is physically isolated from, but in thermodynamic and/or electromagnetic communication with, the thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete; and a means of transferring energy between the structural object and the location of energy supply or demand. The system can be a single node in a neural network. The thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete includes a conductive, shock-absorbing material, such as graphite. Preferred compositions are disclosed for the thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete. The bidirectional energy-transfer system may be present in a solar-energy collection system, a grade beam, an indoor radiant flooring system, a structural wall or ceiling, a bridge, a roadway, a driveway, a parking lot, a commercial aviation runway, a military runway, a grain silo, or pavers, for example.

The invention relates to a sealing wall building material, which has a binding agent with cement and aggregates. It is provided according to the invention that the binding agent comprises a mixture of cement and fly ash, wherein it is free of clay material, and that it has an impermeability with a kf value of 10.sup.−7 m/s and less.

A process of fabricating a static structure including an interior volume that includes the steps of mixing coal combustible residual (CCR) with structural reinforcing materials to form a construction material and utilizing the construction material to fabricate exterior enclosure-forming components of the static structure. The enclosure-forming components are sufficiently reinforced, enhanced and/or thick to provide protection against exterior forces directed against the structure.

Apparatus for processing kitchen waste is disclosed. In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises an inlet for receiving the kitchen waste, a comminuter to comminute the received waste, a dewatering device to dewater the comminuted waste, a compressor to compress the dewatered comminuted waste, and an outlet to provide processed waste ready for collection, wherein the inlet has a lid moveable between a closed position and an open position and the inlet communicates with a hopper having an outlet, the hopper outlet communicating with the comminuter by a door mechanism, and wherein the door mechanism and the lid are interlocked such that the door mechanism opens to supply food waste to the comminuter only when the lid is in the closed position and such that the lid is openable to allow a user to add food waste into the hopper only when the door mechanism is closed.

The present invention relates to improved bentonite barrier compositions having enhanced low permeability over time in containment applications. Of the many embodiments provided herein, one embodiment includes a method comprising: providing a bentonite barrier composition comprising: bentonite; and a polyanionic low molecular weight polymer; and forming a containment using the bentonite barrier composition to provide at least partial separation for a containment from its environment.

Systems and methods are disclosed for landfill systems, comprising waste, a geosynthetic product, and a layer of foam glass aggregates interposed between the waste and the geosynthetic product.

The present invention relates to a glass-ceramic material. The present invention also relates to a method of forming a glass-ceramic material. The present invention also relates to uses of a glass-ceramic material.

A geosynthetic clay liner (GCL). The GCL may include a substrate layer, a bentonite layer applied onto the substrate layer, and a water-soluble polymer suspended in a non-aqueous medium and spray-applied over the bentonite layer.

The present invention provides a bidirectional energy-transfer system comprising: a thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete, disposed in a structural object; a location of energy supply or demand that is physically isolated from, but in thermodynamic and/or electromagnetic communication with, the thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete; and a means of transferring energy between the structural object and the location of energy supply or demand. The system can be a single node in a neural network. The thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete includes a conductive, shock-absorbing material, such as graphite. Preferred compositions are disclosed for the thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete. The bidirectional energy-transfer system may be present in a solar-energy collection system, a grade beam, an indoor radiant flooring system, a structural wall or ceiling, a bridge, a roadway, a driveway, a parking lot, a commercial aviation runway, a military runway, a grain silo, or pavers, for example.